Abstract
The Neurometer is a variable constant current sine wave stimulator, and has recently been proposed as a simple non-invasive, quantitative and selective measure of peripheral nerve function. In order to assess its potential and significance in the quantification of peripheral nerve function of Aβ, Aδ, and C fibers in patients with chronic pain, perception thresholds and amount of current required to elicit moderate pain at 5, 250, and 2, 000Hz stimulation were measured in different sites before and after intravenous regional sympathetic block in three patients with sympathetically maintained pain and compared with the pain complaint. There was a good correlation between the quantitative results and patients' qualitative complaints; when the above two values increased after the block, the degree of subjective pain perception decreased. It is concluded that the supplementary use of the device may be a simple and comprehensive way of assessing peripheral nerve function in patients with chronic pain.
