Effect of test order on sensitivity in vulvodynia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of order of sensitivity testing at the vulva and thumb on the sensitivity determined at the second site tested among women with and without vulvodynia.


METHODS
We evaluated the stability of sensitivity measurements to pressure at the vulva and thumb when the order of testing was randomized to vulva first vs. thumb first; we repeated testing 1 week later in the opposite order.


RESULTS
Stability of results over time and the influence of the order of testing were determined among 13 women with vulvodynia and 20 asymptomatic control women. We found a strong correlation between results compared between the first and second visits as well as no order effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The order of testing at vulvar and peripheral sites has little impact on the results of pressure-responsive sensitivity testing among women with and without vulvodynia.
Reed
Barbara D
BD
Department of Family Medicine, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0708, USA. barbr@umich.edu
Sen
Ananda
A
Gracely
Richard H
RH
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D011312:Pressure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013933:Thumb; D014110:Touch; D014844:Vulva / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*