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Pain threshold

MedGen UID:
58158
•Concept ID:
C0162703
•
Finding
Synonyms: Pain Threshold; Pain Thresholds; Threshold, Pain; Thresholds, Pain
SNOMED CT: Quality of pain sense (251586001); Sensitivity to pain (251586001); Pain tolerance level (225781004); Pain threshold (251586001); Pain tolerance (363835005)

Definition

The minimum level of stimulation of a body part that a person will perceive as being noxious or unpleasant. (Taber''s) [from NCI]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVPain threshold

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Antipsychotic-Induced Constipation: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Clinical Diagnosis, and Treatment.
Xu Y, Amdanee N, Zhang X
CNS Drugs 2021 Dec;35(12):1265-1274. Epub 2021 Aug 24 doi: 10.1007/s40263-021-00859-0. PMID: 34427901
Depression, anxiety and acute pain: links and management challenges.
Michaelides A, Zis P
Postgrad Med 2019 Sep;131(7):438-444. Epub 2019 Sep 12 doi: 10.1080/00325481.2019.1663705. PMID: 31482756
Manual therapy for the management of pain and limited range of motion in subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
Calixtre LB, Moreira RF, Franchini GH, Alburquerque-Sendín F, Oliveira AB
J Oral Rehabil 2015 Nov;42(11):847-61. Epub 2015 Jun 7 doi: 10.1111/joor.12321. PMID: 26059857

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Efficacy of a proprioceptive exercise program in patients with nonspecific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Espí-López GV, Aguilar-Rodríguez M, Zarzoso M, Serra-Añó P, Martínez DE LA Fuente JM, Inglés M, Marques-Sule E
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2021 Jun;57(3):397-405. Epub 2020 Oct 13 doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.20.06302-9. PMID: 33047944
Daily Caffeine Consumption Does Not Influence Acupuncture Analgesia in Healthy Individuals: A Preliminary Study.
Cao J, Tu Y, Lang C, Vangel M, Park J, Liu J, Wilson G, Gollub R, Orr S, Kong J
Anesth Analg 2021 Jan 1;132(1):e6-e9. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003989. PMID: 30585904Free PMC Article
Pain-Free Versus Pain-Threshold Rehabilitation Following Acute Hamstring Strain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hickey JT, Timmins RG, Maniar N, Rio E, Hickey PF, Pitcher CA, Williams MD, Opar DA
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020 Feb;50(2):91-103. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8895. PMID: 32005093
Aversive event unpredictability causes stress-induced hypoalgesia.
Quelhas Martins A, McIntyre D, Ring C
Psychophysiology 2015 Aug;52(8):1066-70. Epub 2015 Mar 29 doi: 10.1111/psyp.12427. PMID: 25817067
Cutaneous pain threshold in the native Alaskan Indian and Eskimo.
MEEHAN JP, STOLL AM, HARDY JD
J Appl Physiol 1954 Jan;6(7):397-400. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1954.6.7.397. PMID: 13117771

Diagnosis

Efficacy of a proprioceptive exercise program in patients with nonspecific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Espí-López GV, Aguilar-Rodríguez M, Zarzoso M, Serra-Añó P, Martínez DE LA Fuente JM, Inglés M, Marques-Sule E
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2021 Jun;57(3):397-405. Epub 2020 Oct 13 doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.20.06302-9. PMID: 33047944
Deconstructing sex differences in pain sensitivity.
Hashmi JA, Davis KD
Pain 2014 Jan;155(1):10-13. Epub 2013 Jul 26 doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.039. PMID: 23891901
Burning mouth syndrome: diagnosis and treatment.
Rhodus NL, Myers S, Bowles W, Schwartz B, Parsons H
Northwest Dent 2000 May-Jun;79(3):21-8. PMID: 11413617
Phantom orchalgia.
Holland JM, Feldman JL, Gilbert HC
J Urol 1994 Dec;152(6 Pt 2):2291-3. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)31660-9. PMID: 7966726
Letter: Electro-acupuncture and pain threshold.
Andersson SA, Ericson T, Holmgren E
Lancet 1973 Oct 20;2(7834):915. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)92052-7. PMID: 4126959

Therapy

Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies.
Solmi M, De Toffol M, Kim JY, Choi MJ, Stubbs B, Thompson T, Firth J, Miola A, Croatto G, Baggio F, Michelon S, Ballan L, Gerdle B, Monaco F, Simonato P, Scocco P, Ricca V, Castellini G, Fornaro M, Murru A, Vieta E, Fusar-Poli P, Barbui C, Ioannidis JPA, Carvalho AF, Radua J, Correll CU, Cortese S, Murray RM, Castle D, Shin JI, Dragioti E
BMJ 2023 Aug 30;382:e072348. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072348. PMID: 37648266Free PMC Article
Effect of manual therapy with exercise in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial.
Alshami AM, Bamhair DA
Trials 2021 Oct 18;22(1):716. doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05690-y. PMID: 34663421Free PMC Article
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and heat to reduce pain in a chronic low back pain population: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Leemans L, Elma Ö, Nijs J, Wideman TH, Siffain C, den Bandt H, Van Laere S, Beckwée D
Braz J Phys Ther 2021 Jan-Feb;25(1):86-96. Epub 2020 May 12 doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.04.001. PMID: 32434666Free PMC Article
Manual therapy versus therapeutic exercise in non-specific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Bernal-Utrera C, Gonzalez-Gerez JJ, Anarte-Lazo E, Rodriguez-Blanco C
Trials 2020 Jul 28;21(1):682. doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04610-w. PMID: 32723399Free PMC Article
The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017 Mar;47(3):133-149. Epub 2017 Feb 3 doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7096. PMID: 28158962

Prognosis

Pain-Free Versus Pain-Threshold Rehabilitation Following Acute Hamstring Strain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hickey JT, Timmins RG, Maniar N, Rio E, Hickey PF, Pitcher CA, Williams MD, Opar DA
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020 Feb;50(2):91-103. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8895. PMID: 32005093
Effectiveness of mobilisation of the upper cervical region and craniocervical flexor training on orofacial pain, mandibular function and headache in women with TMD. A randomised, controlled trial.
Calixtre LB, Oliveira AB, de Sena Rosa LR, Armijo-Olivo S, Visscher CM, Alburquerque-Sendín F
J Oral Rehabil 2019 Feb;46(2):109-119. Epub 2018 Oct 26 doi: 10.1111/joor.12733. PMID: 30307636
Effects of aquatic training and detraining on women with fibromyalgia: controlled randomized clinical trial.
Andrade CP, Zamunér AR, Forti M, Tamburús NY, Silva E
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2019 Feb;55(1):79-88. Epub 2018 Jul 6 doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05041-4. PMID: 29984564
Individualized neuropathic pain therapy based on phenotyping: are we there yet?
Forstenpointner J, Otto J, Baron R
Pain 2018 Mar;159(3):569-575. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001088. PMID: 29447136
Randomized controlled trial on physical therapy for TMJ closed lock.
Craane B, Dijkstra PU, Stappaerts K, De Laat A
J Dent Res 2012 Apr;91(4):364-9. Epub 2012 Feb 8 doi: 10.1177/0022034512438275. PMID: 22318373

Clinical prediction guides

Immediate analgesic effect of two modes of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Pivovarsky MLF, Gaideski F, Macedo RM, Korelo RIG, Guarita-Souza LC, Liebano RE, Macedo ACB
Einstein (Sao Paulo) 2021;19:eAO6027. Epub 2021 Dec 17 doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2021AO6027. PMID: 34932756Free PMC Article
Effects of noxious stimulation on the electroencephalogram during general anaesthesia: a narrative review and approach to analgesic titration.
García PS, Kreuzer M, Hight D, Sleigh JW
Br J Anaesth 2021 Feb;126(2):445-457. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.10.036. PMID: 33461725
Bullous Dermatitis: Challenge.
Heaton SM, Green B, Royer MC
Am J Dermatopathol 2016 Aug;38(8):614-5. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000290. PMID: 27442047
Diabetic neuropathy: is pain God's greatest gift to mankind?
Boulton AJ
Semin Vasc Surg 2012 Jun;25(2):61-5. doi: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2012.04.009. PMID: 22817853
Alternative strategies for the management of chronic stable angina.
O'Rourke RA
Curr Probl Cardiol 2010 Aug;35(8):384-446. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2010.05.001. PMID: 20620570

Recent systematic reviews

Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies.
Solmi M, De Toffol M, Kim JY, Choi MJ, Stubbs B, Thompson T, Firth J, Miola A, Croatto G, Baggio F, Michelon S, Ballan L, Gerdle B, Monaco F, Simonato P, Scocco P, Ricca V, Castellini G, Fornaro M, Murru A, Vieta E, Fusar-Poli P, Barbui C, Ioannidis JPA, Carvalho AF, Radua J, Correll CU, Cortese S, Murray RM, Castle D, Shin JI, Dragioti E
BMJ 2023 Aug 30;382:e072348. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072348. PMID: 37648266Free PMC Article
The Biology of BDSM: A Systematic Review.
Wuyts E, Morrens M
J Sex Med 2022 Jan;19(1):144-157. Epub 2021 Dec 6 doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.11.002. PMID: 34876387
Pain sensitivity is reduced by exercise training: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Belavy DL, Van Oosterwijck J, Clarkson M, Dhondt E, Mundell NL, Miller CT, Owen PJ
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021 Jan;120:100-108. Epub 2020 Nov 27 doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.012. PMID: 33253748
Comparison of dry needling and trigger point manual therapy in patients with neck and upper back myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lew J, Kim J, Nair P
J Man Manip Ther 2021 Jun;29(3):136-146. Epub 2020 Sep 22 doi: 10.1080/10669817.2020.1822618. PMID: 32962567Free PMC Article
The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017 Mar;47(3):133-149. Epub 2017 Feb 3 doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7096. PMID: 28158962

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Practice guidelines

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