Moving coil pressure algometer produces consistent force gradient and repeated stimulation.
Computer-controlled pressure stimulation (algometry) offers seemingly good reliability when it comes to pain assessment methods. It is therefore important to ensure through methodological quantification that moving coil pressure algometer (MCPA) exhibits accurate, fast, and precise tissue stimulation techniques. This study 1) demonstrates that MCPA satisfies force gradient capabilities of a conventional computer-controlled algometry, and 2) reports on effectiveness of the MCPA to produce sustained, fast, and repeated stimulation of a known pulse duration (600 ms) and force magnitude (10 kg). Solicited force gradients of 500, 1000, and 1800 g/s showed high correlation values (R(2) > 0.99) for both rubber mat and direct probe-to-sensor contact cases. Through fast switching between different modes of operation of the actuator, force overshoot was reduced from as much as 300 to 20% for the same force magnitude, at the expense of a slight delay in repeated pulse delivery scheme.
Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7D - 9220 Aalborg, Denmark. adnadjev@hst.aau.dk
Djordje
D
Adnadjevic
Thomas
T
Graven-Nielsen
D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004560:Electricity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D010146:Pain; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013314:Stress, Mechanical