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Quantitative Sensory Testing Protocols to Evaluate Central and Peripheral Sensitization in Knee OA: A Scoping Review
Jonathan Rankin1, Benjamin Rudy-Froese1, Curtis Hoyt1
1Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamilton, Canada.
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|September 28, 2021
Summary
This review examined quantitative sensory testing for knee osteoarthritis, finding pressure pain threshold most common but sensitization poorly defined. This highlights a need for standardized methods in clinical practice and research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) involves complex pain mechanisms.
- Nervous system sensitization plays a role in KOA pain.
- Quantitative sensory testing (QST) methods are used to assess sensitization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of QST methodologies for assessing sensitization in KOA.
- To analyze how sensitization is defined in the context of KOA research.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review methodology was employed.
- Searched major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL).
- Extracted data on QST techniques, parameters, and sensitization definitions.
Main Results:
- 50 studies were included from 4,199 articles.
- Pressure pain threshold was the most frequent QST method.
- Significant variability in testing sites (28) and poor operationalization of sensitization definitions were observed.
Conclusions:
- Identified common QST methods for assessing nervous system sensitization in KOA.
- Highlighted the lack of standardized definitions and methods for sensitization in KOA.
- Provides a foundation for developing improved QST methodologies for research and clinical practice in KOA.
