title: New palpometer with implications for assessment of deep pain sensitivity.
abstract: The aims of this study were to compare test-retest variability and accuracy measures between (1) manual palpation and a novel palpometer and (2) different force levels. Sixteen clinicians were instructed to target 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg on a force meter using manual palpation and the new palpometer (adjustable spring-coil with a small pin touching the examiner's hand when the correct pressure is reached). In all experiments, 10 consecutive measures of the force levels were recorded. The coefficient of variation (CV), actual force levels, and relative differences between target level and actual force level were compared between experiments and target levels. All outcome parameters had significantly lower values for the new palpometer than for manual palpation in a force-dependent manner (p<0.004). CVs and actual force levels were significantly different between all target levels (p<0.004). The new palpometer had low test-retest variability and provides a more accurate pressure stimulus than manual palpation.
authors: Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Aarhus University, and Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, MindLab, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Futarmal
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kothari
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ayesh
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Baad-Hansen
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Svensson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010173:Palpation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000150:complications