Pain measurement by the radiant heat method: individual differences in pain sensitivity, the effects of skin temperature, and stimulus duration.

Abstract

The reliability of the radiant heat method of pain measurement, the day-to-day variability in the pain threshold, and the influence of skin temp. and stimulus duration were detd. In routine pain measurements, a standard error of measurement of 12.5 milli-calories was found. When stimulus duration was held constant, a significant variation in pain threshold was produced by experimentally varying the skin temp, at levels of 85[degree], 90[degree], and 95[degree] F. In any situation where skin temp, may be expected to change, the nonsensory contribution of such changes to the pain threshold must be distinguished from a true analgesia or hyperalgesia.