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Algometry with a clothes peg compared to an electronic pressure algometer: a randomized cross-sectional study in pain
Niklaus Egloff1, Nicole Klingler, Roland von Känel
1Department of General Internal Medicine, Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. niklaus.egloff@insel.ch
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|July 27, 2011
Summary
A simple clothes peg test effectively measures pain sensitivity, correlating well with electronic algometry. This provides a clinically meaningful, accessible tool for assessing central hypersensitivity in pain patients.
Area of Science:
- Pain research
- Neurology
- Psychophysics
Background:
- Central nervous system hypersensitivity is a key factor in chronic pain and disability.
- Electronic pressure algometry is a standard tool for assessing pain sensitivity.
- A simpler, cost-effective method for evaluating pain sensitivity is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a clothes peg pain provocation test yields clinically meaningful data on pain sensitivity.
- To compare the results of a clothes peg test with those from an electronic pressure algometer.
- To assess the repeatability of the clothes peg test for pain sensitivity measurement.
Main Methods:
- 157 patients with various pain types underwent a calibrated clothes peg test (10 seconds) and rated pain intensity.
- Pressure pain detection threshold (PPdt) and pressure pain tolerance threshold (PPtt) were measured using an electronic algometer.
- Both tests were performed on middle fingers and earlobes; repeatability was assessed in 47 patients.
Main Results:
- Clothes peg pain ratings showed significant correlations with electronic algometer measurements (PPdt: r = -0.54 to -0.55; PPtt: r = -0.55).
- These correlations were consistent across finger and earlobe testing sites (p < 0.001).
- Test-retest reliability was high and comparable between the clothes peg and electronic algometer (r > 0.89).
Conclusions:
- A calibrated clothes peg test provides clinically meaningful information on pain sensitivity.
- The clothes peg test demonstrates comparable reliability to established electronic algometry.
- This simple method offers a practical alternative for assessing central hypersensitivity.
