Methodological considerations on the use of the blink reflex R3 component in the assessment of pain in man
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Abstract
We define the principal physiological properties of the nociceptive component R3 of the blink reflex (b.r.) on electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve, with the aim of supplying some rules for its use in the analysis of pain in man. We explore the relationship between the threshold (th) of R3 and that of pain on stimulation of the trigeminal nerve and the extent to which R3 is modulated by habituation and attentional levels. Both pain th and R3 th correlate significantly with age. The R3 th was always higher than the R2 th. Habituation definitely decreases the amplitude of R3, which easily disappears. Focusing of attention on the stimulus sharply inhibits R3 while distraction increases it. Our findings emphasize the need to take all these aspects into account when designing protocols for the study of pain mechanisms based on the R3 reflex component.
Key Words
Pain blink reflex habituation attentionSommario
In questo lavoro vengono definite le principali caratteristiche della componente nocicettiva R3 del riflesso di ammiccamento, evocato dalla stimolazione elettrica del nervo sopraorbitale, con lo scopo di fornire alcune regole per la sua utilizzazione nell'analisi del dolore nell'uomo. Viene indagata la relazione tra soglia di R3 e del dolore alla stimolazione trigeminale e la modulazione provocata su R3 dall'abitudine e da diversi fenomeni attentivi.
La soglia di R3 è sempre più alta di quella di R2.
La correlazione significativa tra soglie di R3 e del dolore con l'età viene confermata. I fenomeni di abitudine provocano una netta riduzione sull'ampiezza di R3, che facilmente scompare. L'attenzione focalizzata sullo stimolo inibisce profondamente R3 che, al contrario, appare maggiormente rappresentata quando il soggetto non pone attenzione alla situazione sperimentale.
Nei protocolli proposti per studiare i meccanismi del dolore e basati sull'analisi della componente R3 del riflesso di ammiccamento è necessario quindi tenere conto di tutti questi aspetti al fine di ottenere informazioni corrette.
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