The long-term reliability of static and dynamic quantitative sensory testing in healthy individuals.
Quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) have been increasingly used to investigate alterations in somatosensory function in a wide range of painful conditions. The interpretation of these findings is based on the assumption that the measures are stable and reproducible. To date, reliability of QST has been investigated for short test-retest intervals. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term reliability of a multimodal QST assessment in healthy people, with testing conducted on 3 occasions over 4 months. Forty-two healthy people were enrolled in the study. Static and dynamic tests were performed, including cold and heat pain threshold (CPT, HPT), mechanical wind-up [wind-up ratio (WUR)], pressure pain threshold (PPT), 2-point discrimination (TPD), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Systematic bias, relative reliability and agreement were analysed using repeated measure analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs3,1) and SE of the measurement (SEM), respectively. Static QST (CPT, HPT, PPT, and TPD) showed good-to-excellent reliability (ICCs: 0.68-0.90). Dynamic QST (WUR and CPM) showed poor-to-good reliability (ICCs: 0.35-0.61). A significant linear decrease over time was observed for mechanical QST at the back (PPT and TPD) and for CPM (P < 0.01). Static QST were stable over a period of 4 months; however, a small systematic decrease over time has been observed for mechanical QST. Dynamic QST showed considerable variability over time; in particular, CPM using PPT as the test stimulus did not show adequate reliability, suggesting that this test paradigm may be less useful for monitoring individuals over time.
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Profession, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.|The Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
Anna
A
Marcuzzi
Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.|Sydney Medical School-Northern, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Paul J
PJ
Wrigley
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Profession, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.|The Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
Catherine M
CM
Dean
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Roger
R
Adams
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Profession, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.|The Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
Julia M
JM
Hush
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult