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Related Experiment Videos

Sex differences in response to cutaneous anesthesia: a double blind randomized study

Michael E Robinson1, Joseph L Riley, Felicia F Brown

  • 1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Health Professions, P.O. Box 100165 HSC, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA Claude Pepper Center for Research of Oral Health in Aging, College of Dentistry, University of Florida,Gainesville, FL, USA Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Florida,Gainesville, FL, USA.

Pain
|October 10, 1998
PubMed
Summary

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This study found men reported less pain than women when using Lidocaine, suggesting sex differences in topical anesthetic response. The methodology is sensitive to both anesthetic treatment and sex differences in pain perception.

Area of Science:

  • Pain research
  • Anesthesiology
  • Psychophysics

Background:

  • Existing literature indicates sex differences in pain sensitivity, with females generally more sensitive.
  • Epidemiological studies show females report more severe, frequent, and longer-lasting pain syndromes.
  • Sex differences in response to pain-reducing medications, including analgesics, are reported but understudied for topical anesthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex differences in the effectiveness of a topical anesthetic, Lidocaine.
  • To utilize a double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental design with a magnitude matching psychophysical protocol.
  • To assess sex-specific responses to Lidocaine using a pressure algometer.

Main Methods:

  • Employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 21 female and 23 male adult volunteers.

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  • Subjects were randomly assigned to either the Lidocaine or placebo condition.
  • Utilized a pressure algometer and a magnitude matching psychophysical protocol to assess pain perception.

    • Main Results:

    • A large effect size for sex in the Lidocaine group indicated males rated stimuli as less painful than females (response bias).
    • No significant sex differences were observed for discriminability in the Lidocaine group.
    • No sex differences in pain perception were found in the placebo control group.

    Conclusions:

    • The study protocol is sensitive to both anesthetic treatment and sex differences in pain perception.
    • Results suggest potential sex differences in response to topical Lidocaine, with males reporting less pain.
    • The findings indicate an improvement in pain assessment methodology for experimental and clinical settings.