Uses of the electrical skin resistance method in the study of patients with neck and upper extremity pain.

Use of the electrical skin resistance method for the study of neck and upper extremity pain is reported. Skin resistance was mapped for 20 patients who had neck or upper extremity pain without clinical or radiographic evidence of spinal cord or nerve root irritation, but who did present evidence of an abnormality within a cervical intervertebral disc or involving a facet joint of the cervical spine. In general, areas of low skin resistance (sympathetic hyperactivity) corresponded well to areas of subjective pain. The skin resistance pattern has not led to localization of the level of abnormality within the cervical spine, but has been of value in confirming the clinical impression that a pain-producing mechanical or degenerative lesion is present. The test thus adds objective evidence in an area often fraught with subjectivity.