Quantitative sensory testing of neuropathic pain patients: potential mechanistic and therapeutic implications

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a widely accepted tool to investigate somatosensory changes in pain patients. Many different protocols have been developed in clinical pain research within recent years. In this review, we provide an overview of QST and tested neuroanatomical pathways, including...

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Hauptverfasser: Pfau, Doreen (VerfasserIn) , Geber, Christian (VerfasserIn) , Birklein, Frank (VerfasserIn) , Treede, Rolf-Detlef (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 26. April 2012
In: Current pain and headache reports
Year: 2012, Jahrgang: 16, Heft: 3, Pages: 199-206
ISSN:1534-3081
DOI:10.1007/s11916-012-0261-3
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0261-3
Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0261-3
Volltext
Verfasserangaben:Doreen B. Pfau, Christian Geber, Frank Birklein, Rolf-Detlef Treede
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a widely accepted tool to investigate somatosensory changes in pain patients. Many different protocols have been developed in clinical pain research within recent years. In this review, we provide an overview of QST and tested neuroanatomical pathways, including peripheral and central structures. Based on research studies using animal and human surrogate models of neuropathic pain, possible underlying mechanisms of chronic pain are discussed. Clinically, QST may be useful for 1) the identification of subgroups of patients with different underlying pain mechanisms; 2) prediction of therapeutic outcomes; and 3) quantification of therapeutic interventions in pain therapy. Combined with sensory mapping, QST may provide useful information on the site of neural damage and on mechanisms of positive and negative somatosensory abnormalities. The use of QST in individual patients for diagnostic purposes leading to individualized therapy is an interesting concept, but needs further validation.
Beschreibung:Published online: 26. April 2012
Gesehen am 23.08.2018
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:1534-3081
DOI:10.1007/s11916-012-0261-3