Barbara D Reed1, Ananda Sen, Richard H Gracely. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0708, USA. barbr@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of order of sensitivity testing at the vulva and thumb on the sensitivity determined at the second site tested among women with and without vulvodynia. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the stability of sensitivity measurements to pressure at the vulva and thumb when the order of testing was randomized to vulva first vs. thumb first; we repeated testing 1 week later in the opposite order. RESULTS: Stability of results over time and the influence of the order of testing were determined among 13 women with vulvodynia and 20 asymptomatic control women. We found a strong correlation between results compared between the first and second visits as well as no order effect. CONCLUSION: The order of testing at vulvar and peripheral sites has little impact on the results of pressure-responsive sensitivity testing among women with and without vulvodynia.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of order of sensitivity testing at the vulva and thumb on the sensitivity determined at the second site tested among women with and without vulvodynia. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the stability of sensitivity measurements to pressure at the vulva and thumb when the order of testing was randomized to vulva first vs. thumb first; we repeated testing 1 week later in the opposite order. RESULTS: Stability of results over time and the influence of the order of testing were determined among 13 women with vulvodynia and 20 asymptomatic control women. We found a strong correlation between results compared between the first and second visits as well as no order effect. CONCLUSION: The order of testing at vulvar and peripheral sites has little impact on the results of pressure-responsive sensitivity testing among women with and without vulvodynia.