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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Determining heat and mechanical pain threshold in inflamed skin of human subjects

Determining heat and mechanical pain threshold in inflamed skin of human subjects

Published on: January 14, 2009

Mechanical nociceptive thresholds using four probe configurations in horses.

Polly M Taylor¹, Nadia Crosignani², Carlize Lopes²

¹Topcat Metrology Ltd, Ely, UK.

Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

|May 22, 2015

Summary

Probe tip size significantly impacts mechanical nociceptive threshold (MT) measurements in horses. Smaller probe tips, like the sharp and spring-mounted configurations, yield less variable and potentially more reliable MT data.

Keywords:

force nociception pain pressure probe size stimulus intensity

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Area of Science:

Veterinary Science
Animal Physiology
Pain Measurement

Background:

Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MTs) are crucial for assessing pain in horses.
Standardization of measurement tools is essential for reliable pain assessment.
Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of probe tip size on MT readings in equine subjects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between different probe configurations (PCs) and force readings of mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MTs) in horses.
To determine the most appropriate probe tip size for accurate and reliable MT measurements in equine research and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

A randomized, crossover study involving eight adult horses (268-460 kg, 5-10 years).
Four probe configurations were tested: 1.0 mm diameter (SHARP), 3.2 mm (BLUNT), spring-mounted 1.0 mm (SPRING), and 3 × 2.5 mm (3PIN).
Force was applied pneumatically at 1.2 N/second to the metacarpus, with 10 readings per horse per PC, analyzed using mixed-effects models.

Main Results:

Mean MTs varied significantly across probe configurations: SHARP (5.6 ± 2.3 N), BLUNT (11.4 ± 3.4 N), 3PIN (9.6 ± 4.6 N), and SPRING (6.4 ± 1.8 N).
Larger contact area probes generally produced higher MTs, but the relationship was nonlinear; BLUNT probes yielded twice the MT of SHARP probes despite a 10-fold greater area.
The SHARP and SPRING probes resulted in significantly less variable MT data (CVs 22.9% and 28.7%, respectively) compared to BLUNT and 3PIN probes.

Conclusions:

Probe configuration significantly influences mechanical nociceptive threshold measurements in horses, demonstrating a nonlinear effect.
Defining the specific probe configuration used is critical for accurate interpretation of MT data.
Smaller probe tips, particularly the SHARP and SPRING configurations, are recommended for MT measurements in horses due to lower data variability and potentially greater reliability.