Dolorimeter
Dolorimeter
A Dolorimeter (/doʊˈlɒrɪˌmiːtər/; from Latin dolor, "pain", and Greek metron, "measure") is a device used in the field of medicine to quantify and measure pain threshold and pain tolerance.
History
The concept of the Dolorimeter dates back to the early 20th century, with the first known use of the term being in 1940. The device was developed as a means to objectively measure a subjective experience, namely pain.
Function
A Dolorimeter applies a controlled amount of pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation to a specific area of the body. The patient's response to these stimuli is then recorded and used to determine their pain threshold and tolerance. This information can be useful in diagnosing and managing various medical conditions, such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy.
Types
There are several types of Dolorimeters, including:
- Pressure Dolorimeters: These devices measure the amount of pressure that causes pain. They are often used to assess myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points.
- Thermal Dolorimeters: These devices measure the temperature at which heat or cold causes pain. They are often used in research settings.
- Electrical Dolorimeters: These devices measure the amount of electrical current that causes pain. They are less commonly used than pressure or thermal Dolorimeters.
Usage
Dolorimeters are used by medical professionals, such as physiotherapists, rheumatologists, and pain management specialists, to assess a patient's pain threshold and tolerance. This information can help guide treatment decisions and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dolorimeter
- Wikipedia's article - Dolorimeter
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski