title: Analgesic strength of 33 percent nitrous oxide: a signal detection theory evaluation.
abstract: Radiant heat stimulation was applied to volunteers and rating scale responses were obtained to assess the analgesic properties of 33 percent nitrous oxide. The methodology of signal detection theory was applied to the data to demonstrate that nitrous oxide reduces both sensitivity to pain and willingness to report pain. This method is superior to threshold estimation for the evaluation of analgesics.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010146:Pain
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D009609:Nitrous Oxide