KUMJ | VOL. 21 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 81 | JANUARY - MARCH, 2023
Inter-individual Variation in Pain Sensitivity among Healthy Young Indian Adults- a pilot study
Aparna Rao C, Savitha D
Abstract: Background
Pain perception, with inter-individual variability, is a challenge for both patients and
clinicians. Distribution of pain sensitivity parameters being less explored in Indian
population can vary with reports from outside India.
Objective
To describe distribution of pain sensitivity parameters using cold pressor test in
healthy adults and to explore relationship of pain sensitivity with gender, vascular
reactivity and parental history of hypertension.
Method
Pain was induced with non-dominant hand immersed in cold water (3
C) in 150
subjects (75 males and 75 females) selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Pain sensitivity (pain threshold, tolerance and unpleasantness), vascular reactivity (Δ
change in blood pressure and pulse rate) were measured.
Result
Subjects demonstrated pain threshold [17.6 s (10.7, 26.6)], tolerance [40.2 s (30.0,
59.2)] and unpleasantness [7.0 (6.1,8.0)]. Pain unpleasantness showed a weak
negative correlation with pain threshold and tolerance (p < 0.001). Pain threshold
had moderate positive correlation with tolerance (p < 0.001). Males had significantly
higher pain threshold and tolerance than females (p=0.004). Significant rise in posttest
systolic
and
diastolic
blood
pressure
(p
<
0.001),
decrease
in
pulse
rate
(p=0.007)
were
found compared to resting values. Pain tolerance showed a weak positive
correlation with Δ systolic blood pressure (p=0.039). Subjects with positive parental
history of hypertension showed higher pain unpleasantness scores (p=0.02).
Conclusion
The study demonstrated a wide range of pain sensitivity for narrow age and body
mass index. Gender difference was observed for pain threshold and tolerance.
Vascular reactivity was demonstrated. Subjective pain perception was higher in
subjects with parental history of hypertension.
Keyword : Cold pressor test, Pain threshold, Tolerance, Parental history of hypertension, Vascular reactivity
