Although validity and reliability studies have been completed in different patient groups in the literature, the validity and reliability of pressure pain threshold assessment in patients with elbow pain has not been studied. This study aims to study the validity and reliability of pressure pain threshold assessment in patients with elbow pain.
Unidimensional and multidimensional scales based on patient reporting are mostly used in pain assessment. Although determining pain severity based on patient reporting is important, the patient's physiological and psychological characteristics may make it difficult to interpret the responses. Therefore, objective measurement of pain is very valuable in assessing health status. Another approach to assessing variation in pain perception is to define pressure pain threshold. Although validity and reliability studies have been completed in different patient groups in the literature, the validity and reliability of pressure pain threshold assessment in patients with elbow pain has not been studied. This study aims to study the validity and reliability of pressure pain threshold assessment in patients with elbow pain.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
75
Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa
Istanbul, Bakırkoy, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pressure Pain Threshold
A digital algometer (Commander Algometer, JTECH Medical, USA) will be used. A pressure will be applied to the pulp of the thumb of the hand, which is the control point for the patient to separate the sensation of pain and pressure. Then, a force will be applied to the same point, causing pain. In the supine position, the pressure will be applied vertically to the lateral and medial epicondyle of the humerus, olecranon fossa, radial head, lateral and medial supracondylar foss, biceps, triceps, brachialis and brachioradialis muscle body, increasing the pressure by 1 kg/cm² every three seconds until the patient feels pain. The patient will be asked to report pain as soon as he or she feels it while applying force (kg/cm²) with the device. This process will be repeated three times and there will be a 60-second break between repetitions. The same evaluation will be carried out by a second independent evaluator on the same day, 10 minutes after the first evaluation.
Time frame: Baseline (First assessment)
Pressure Pain Threshold
A digital algometer (Commander Algometer, JTECH Medical, USA) will be used. A pressure will be applied to the pulp of the thumb of the hand, which is the control point for the patient to separate the sensation of pain and pressure. Then, a force will be applied to the same point, causing pain. In the supine position, the pressure will be applied vertically to the lateral and medial epicondyle of the humerus, olecranon fossa, radial head, lateral and medial supracondylar foss, biceps, triceps, brachialis and brachioradialis muscle body, increasing the pressure by 1 kg/cm² every three seconds until the patient feels pain. The patient will be asked to report pain as soon as he or she feels it while applying force (kg/cm²) with the device. This process will be repeated three times and there will be a 60-second break between repetitions.
Time frame: 3 days after the first assessment (Second assessment)
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The participants will be asked to indicate their perceived pain at rest, during activity and at night on the 10 cm line between no pain and terrible pain. The score will be determined by measuring the distance on 10 cm line using a ruler. The minimum and maximum possible scores are 0 and 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
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Time frame: Baseline
Functional Status
The functional status of the patients will be evaluated by The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). It comprises 30 core questions and optional additional 8 questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (no difficulty-unable). The cumulative DASH score is ranged from 0 to 100, where the higher scores indicate an increased degree of disability.
Time frame: Baseline