Abstract
The test-retest reliability of temporal summation (TS) and diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) has not been reported to date. Establishing such reliability would support the possibility of future experimental studies examining factors affecting TS and DNIC. Similarly, the use of manual algometry to induce TS, or an occlusion cuff to induce DNIC of TS to mechanical stimuli, has not been reported to date. Such devices may offer a simpler method than current techniques for inducing TS and DNIC, affording assessment at more anatomical locations and in more varied research settings. The present study assessed the test-retest reliability of TS and DNIC using the above techniques. Sex differences on these measures were also investigated. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated successful induction of TS and DNIC, with no significant differences across test-retest occasions. Sex effects were not significant for any measure or interaction. Intraclass correlations indicated high test-retest reliability for all measures; however, there was large interindividual variation between test and retest measurements. The present results indicate acceptable within-session test-retest reliability of TS and DNIC. The results support the possibility of future experimental studies examining factors affecting TS and DNIC.
Highlights
The test-retest reliability of temporal summation (TS) and diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) has not been reported to date
We examined for sex differences on these measures and assessed, for the first time, the test-retest reliability of TS and DNIC
The present results are the first to demonstrate the following: TS can be elicited using a hand-held mechanical algometer at both superficial and deep tissue locations; DNIC from tonic mechanical pain inhibits TS elicited from a manual algometer; and TS and DNIC have acceptable test-retest reliability, there is considerable interindividual variation across assessments
Summary
The test-retest reliability of temporal summation (TS) and diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) has not been reported to date. Establishing such reliability would support the possibility of future experimental studies examining factors affecting TS and DNIC. The use of manual algometry to induce TS, or an occlusion cuff to induce DNIC of TS to mechanical stimuli, has not been reported to date Such devices may offer a simpler method than current techniques for inducing TS and DNIC, affording assessment at more anatomical locations and in more varied research settings. METHOD: The present study assessed the test-retest reliability of TS and DNIC using the above techniques Sex differences on these measures were investigated. The results support the possibility of future experimental studies examining factors affecting TS and DNIC
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