title: Validation of simple and inexpensive algometry using sphygmomanometer cuff and neuromuscular junction monitor with standardized laboratory algometer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The availability, ergonomics and economics prohibit the routine use of algometers in clinical practice and research by the anesthesiologists. A simple bedside technique of quantitative pain measurement would enable the routine use of algometry. We proposed to validate simple pain provocation using sphygmomanometer cuff and the electric stimulation of neuromuscular junction monitor (TOF-guard, Organon Teknika) to measure pain against a standardized laboratory pressure algometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain detection threshold (Pdt) and pain tolerance threshold (Ptt) were measured in forty healthy volunteers of both genders, using the above three techniques. All measurements were repeated three times. The co-efficient of inter-rater reliability (or consistency) between three independent measurements obtained from each of the techniques was determined by Cronbach's co-efficient alpha (α C). The correlation between the mean Pdt and Ptt values recorded by standardized algometer and the sphygmomanometer technique and nerve stimulator technique was performed using Pearson Correlation. An r >0.5 and a two-tailed significance of <0.05 were considered as good correlation between the standardized algometer and the tested techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a good inter-rater reliability (α C > 0.7) for the three techniques. There was a good correlation with r >0.65 (P < 0.001) between the measurements of standardized pressure algometer and the two techniques being tested as alternatives for algometer to measure pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sphygmomanometer cuff technique and electrical stimulation with the peripheral nerve stimulator to measure pain threshold and tolerance provide a simple, efficient, repeatable measure of pain intensity and can be used as suitable alternatives to standard algometers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Padmaja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Durga
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sreedhar Reddy
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wudaru
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Research, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sunil Kumar Reddy
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Khambam
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Research, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shobha Jagadish
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Gopinath
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
keywords: Algometry; analgesics; clinical research; cuff pressure; electrical stimulation; pain; pain threshold; pain tolerance; perioperative; pressure; validation