The impact of sex differences on perceived pain intensity in pain protocol standardization

Abstract

BackgroundSex differences have been widely demonstrated in both acute and chronic pain. Sex differences may have wider impact on research design and analysis than already established. This study addresses an important methodological aspect with regards to how sex differences could influence the design of standardized experimental pain protocols used to characterize an individuals pain response. MethodsThis study addresses sex differences of perceived pain at tonic heat pain threshold (HPT). Participants used a computerized visual analogue scale (CoVAS) to continually rated subjective pain intensity during tonic HPT. Metrics (Mean, Standard Deviation, Maximum) were extracted from the CoVAS to characterize perceived pain. ResultsFemale participants rated pain intensity at HPT significantly lower than male participants across all extracted metrics used to characterize the coVAS rating. The effect of sex on the mean and standard deviation of pain intensity ratings at HPT was medium, while the effect size of sex on the maximum pain intensity rating at HPT was large. ConclusionThe significant sex differences in perceived pain intensity at HPT indicates that methods of standardization to a specific pain intensity merit sex-specific consideration. Additionally, these observed sex differences underscore the necessity for sex specific design across both pre-clinical and clinical studies of pain.