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Location, location, location: Variation in sensitivity to ache throughout the physique.
Eur J Ache. 2016 Nov;20(10):1721-1729
Authors: Tracy LM, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Gibson SJ, Giummarra MJ
Summary
BACKGROUND: There may be proof that sensitivity to noxious stimuli differs between the sexes and throughout the physique, however few research have investigated variations within the notion and expertise of acute ache stimuli throughout the physique in wholesome people.
METHODS: We recruited 52 wholesome members, aged 18-36 (50% males) and administered 39, 42 and 45 °C stimuli at 4 physique websites bilaterally to look at variations within the expertise of ache depth and unpleasantness between physique websites by way of an 11-point numerical score scale.
RESULTS: Noxious and innocuous thermal warmth stimuli have been perceived as considerably extra intense when delivered to the wrist (M = three.98, SD = 1.93) and again (M = four.07, SD = 1.98) in comparison with the shoulder (M = three.45, SD = 1.91) and leg (M = three.46, SD = 1.87). Ache unpleasantness scores yielded comparable findings; stimuli have been perceived as extra disagreeable when administered to the wrist (M = 2.83, SD = 1.93) and decrease again (M = three.04, SD = 2.11) in comparison with the shoulder (M = 2.63, SD = 1.85) and leg (M = 2.26, SD = 1.82).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings recommend that painful thermal stimuli delivered to the wrist and again are perceived as extra intense and ugly in contrast with different physique websites in wholesome individuals. These variations could also be as a result of variations in receptor density, or the relative significance of those websites for each day dwelling and survival.
SIGNIFICANCE: Furthermore, these insights are useful for the design of research investigating ache expertise in wholesome individuals in experimental or scientific settings. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: We examined sensitivity to acute suprathreshold thermal stimulations throughout a spread of physique websites to research for potential variability. We discovered important variations within the perceived depth and unpleasantness of noxious and innocuous thermal stimuli on the wrist and decrease again, in contrast with the shoulder and leg. These outcomes recommend that ache expertise is pushed by receptor density or the relative practical significance of those websites.
PMID: 27221216 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]