Relations between experimentally induced tooth pain threshold changes, psychometrics and clinical pain relief following TENS. A retrospective study in patients with long-lasting pain

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Abstract
Classified as responders (n = 13) or non-responders (n = 8). Tooth pain thresholds (PT) were measured before and after an experimental TENS treatment and the relative change in PT following the stimulation was calculated. Three psychometric self-inventories were administered: Zung Depression Scale, Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Scale and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Responders (R) and non-responders (NR) differed significantly from each other in the PT measurements as well as on the psychometric scales. NR exhibited higher levels of anxiety and depression, a more pronounced powerful other orientation and no change or a decrease in PT following TENS compared to R. These findings indicate relationships and interactions between physiological and psychological factors in patients with long-lasting pain. ∗Correspondence to: Dr. Eva Widerström, Department of Physiology, University of Göteborg, Medicinaregatan 11, S-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden. Tel.: (+46-31) 853-513; Fax: (+46-31) 853-512. (Received 19 November 1991; revised 29 June 1992; accepted 7 July 1992.) © Lippincott-Raven Publishers....