Test-retest reliability of pressure pain threshold measurements of the upper limb and torso in young healthy women.
The goal of this study was to determine the intra- and interday reliability of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the upper extremity and torso of asymptomatic women. Nineteen healthy women (20-39 years) with no underlying musculoskeletal problems had 3 PPT trials performed on 8 different locations in the upper extremity and torso over 4 consecutive days. The test-retest reliability of PPT values was robust and highly consistent over the 4 days. The PPT intraclass correlations (ICC) were highly consistent and repeatable over the 4 days of testing (day 1: ICC = 0.94; day 2: ICC = 0.96; day 3: ICC = 0.97 and day 4: ICC = 0.96). When compared with baseline measurements obtained on day 1, the PPT values were significantly lower (P < .05) on days 2, 3, and 4 at all 8 locations. Although the PPT test-retest reliability is robust and consistent throughout the 4 days, there appears to be a similar overall decline in the magnitude of the absolute PPT response at each of the 8 locations. A specific explanation for this greater overall sensitivity in PPTs at all 8 locations is lacking; however, a centrally mediated alteration in pressure/pain sensation could contribute to the overall trend observed in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
PPT measurements of the upper limb and torso will be significantly lower with repeated measures over a short period time. A standardized evaluation grid should be included in baseline so as to accurately evaluate the progression in shoulder rehabilitation in women with shoulder dysfunction.
Jones
David H
DH
Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Kilgour
Robert D
RD
Comtois
Alain S
AS
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*