Abstract
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) assessments can be valuable tools in analgesic research although there are few studies that directly compare the sensitivity of different techniques. This is particularly important given that the pain research literature reportedly contains a relatively large number of publications where authors attempt to selectively emphasise certain results (Gewandter et al. 2015). This analysis compares the relative sensitivity of the 128 mN pinprick and standardised brush tests (used to measure static and dynamic allodynia area, respectively) with measurements of mechanical pain sensitivity (MPS) and dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA) intensity using standard QST procedures. The tests were carried out as part of a Phase IIa clinical trial comparing GRT6010, a novel analgesic compound, with pregabalin and placebo in 57 subjects with peripheral neuropathic pain.
