A new dolorimeter, type NYT-5 (manufactured by Kudo Electric Co., Ltd), which is a modernized model of Hardy-Wolf-Goodell algesimeter modified by Nakahama, was evaluated physiologically and statistically on men upon the standpoints of its efficiency, discriminability, stability, repitability and safety, including some applications to clinical use.1) Pain threshold was proven to be almost identical though there was still found a slight significant difference between individuals. Pain was recognized at 3.0±0.07. sec. duration using radiant heat energy of 250 mcal/sec・cm^2 (time mode), and with applicaiton of 2.0 seconds duration (thermal energy mode) a threshold was found at the radiant heat of 305±38 mcal/sec・cm^2.2) We collected data several times on some individuals on different days and came to a conclusion that this device shows a good repitability without significant differences (p<0.05〜0.15).3) Stepped differences of each 25 mcal/sec・cm^2 in radiant heat energy were discriminated statistically on time mode within the range of 150 to 250 mcal/sec・cm^2.4) Though we have determined a relatively broad safety zone on its practical application, there are possibilities of causing burn on the skin, and serious precaution is required against it.This device was proven to be of valuable application not only in physiological pain research but also in clinical or practical evaluation of alnalgesic treatments and progress follow-ups of patients.

View full abstract