Threshold of Aching Pain. Studies With the Hardy-Wolff-Goodell Esthesiometer (Algesimeter)

¹ From the Institute of Cancer Research, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the School of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Columbia University, New York City

The Hardy-Wolff-Goodell pressure pain threshold instrument consists of a plunger surrounded by a metal sleeve in which is mounted a steel spring. The pain threshold is ascertained by determining the force which must be exerted on the subcutaneous and periosteal tissue of the forehead by the plastic tip of the plunger in order to elicit a minimum painful stimulus. Studies performed on eight normal, trained, volunteer, adult subjects indicated that thresholds for aching pain could be effectively established for a given individual. The pain thresholds of the eight subjects were significantly different, ranging from 533 ± 142 gm to 1973 ± 586 gm.