Abstract.
Objective: The present publication describes an inflammatory pain model based on an air-stream introduced in the nasal cavity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of flow, humidity and temperature of the air-stream on the intensity of the evoked pain sensations.¶Methods: Six healthy volunteers participated in the study. Pain was produced by a stream of air introduced to the nasal cavity at different flow rates (5, 6 and 8 l/min), humidity (20 and 80% relative humidity) and temperature (16, 24, and 32 °C). The evoked pain was quantified by means of visual analogue scales.¶Results: The air-stream induced a dull and burning painful sensation. The intensity of pain was found to be related to the air-stream's humidity and temperature. Specifically, a dry air-stream (20% relative humidity) evoked significantly stronger pain than a humidified air-stream (80% relative humidity). Pain was significantly greater at a temperature of 32 °C than at 24° and 16 °C, while the temperatures of 16 and 24 °C did not differ with respect to pain intensity. In contrast, a tendency towards stronger pain produced by a flow of 8 l compared to that with 5 l could not be statistically justified within the present study.¶Conclusions: The non-invasive pain stimulus was found to be easily applicable and the evoked pain sensation could be modified by variation of humidity and temperature of the air-stream.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 3 February 1998; returned for revision 16 March 1998; accepted by R. Day 24 August 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lötsch, J., Ahne, G., Kunder, J. et al. Factors affecting pain intensity in a pain model based upon tonic intranasal stimulation in humans. Inflamm. res. 47, 446–450 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050359
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050359