Pain can currently be quantified using quantitative sensory tests (QSTs). However, we lack knowledge concerning how relational and contextual factors impact these quantitative tests. We will examine how a standard QST battery is affected by "removing" the social and human interaction from the test session compared to usual QST testing where the participant is guided through the assessment by a research assistant. Our objectives are: 1. How is the QST affected when guided by a research assistant compared to guided by a computer 2. Does the level of the assessor's empathy affect the QST outcome 3. How do psychological factors affect the QST testing 4. are these outcomes affected by the patient profile (low back pain patients vs healthy controls)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
87
The following QSTs are conducted: The pressure pain threshold on the tibialis anterior The Cold-pressor test Repeat of the pressure pain threshold to assess conditioned pain modulation
Spine Centre of Southern Denmark
Middelfart, Denmark
The Spine Center of Southern Denmark
Middelfart, Denmark
Department of Physocolgy
Odense, Denmark
The Conditioned pain modulation effect [changes in kPa]
Between-group differences in conditioned pain modulation (CPM). The CPM \[range -1000;1000 kPa\] is measured as the change between a pressure pain threshold test before and after a cold pressor test (2 minutes of immersion the left hand in ice water\].
Time frame: Baseline
Pressure pain threshold
Between-group differences in pressure pain threshold \[range 0-1000 kPa\] as measured before the cold pressor test
Time frame: Baseline
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