Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs.

Vibratory stimulation increase the electro-cutaneous sensory detection and pain thresholds in women but not in men.

Dahlin L, Lund I, Lundeberg T, Molander C

Department of Public Health Sciences, division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Lisbeth.Dahlin@ki.se

BACKGROUND: Vibratory stimulation is a potential method for the treatment of pain. METHODS: The effect of vibration on the forearm on detection (DT) and pain thresholds (PT) induced by electro-cutaneous stimulation were investigated in healthy male and female volunteers. RESULTS: Women have lower baseline detection and pain thresholds as compared to men. Furthermore, women but not men report increased detection and pain thresholds after vibratory stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the potential usefulness of vibratory stimulation for pain treatment, and that gender differences should be considered in future evaluation of the method.

Published 21 June 2006 in BMC Complement Altern Med, 6: 20.
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