Fpx 25

PPT was used to test the deep pain sensitivity, which is mediated by either C or Aδ fibers. To evaluate the PPT, a digital pressure algometer (model FPX 25, Wagner Instruments, USA), with two tip sizes, was used. The tip with a surface area of 1 cm² was used to measure the PPT in the masseter muscle and apex of the tongue, while the tip with a surface area of 0.18 cm² (Ø 4.8 mm) was used to obtain the PPT in the gingival mucosa of the upper premolar region. During each test, the pressure was increased gradually at a rate of 50 kPa/s. Each subject was instructed to manually inform when a discomforting sensation started to appear, so that the examiner could interrupt the exam and record the value obtained. The PPT was determined as the arithmetic mean of the three records [24 (link)].

A hand-held algometer (FPX 25, Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT, USA) with a 2 mm-diameter round stainless-steel tip was used to measure the MNT of deer. A single, experienced investigator measured the mechanical nociceptive thresholds of all study animals. For the validation of the hand-held algometer, the MNT measurement was conducted across three alternate days in one week (every second day for 3 test days). The tip of the algometer was placed on cranial, caudal, medial and lateral sites around the base of the antler, 1 cm below the pedicle (the site of antler growth) (Figure 1 and Figure 2). The force was applied (each time for a duration of 1 s by counting 1001) by the operator 1 cm below the pedicle, which corresponded to the antler root at each of the four sites. The behavioural response indicating the attainment of threshold was head shaking and the algometer reading was automatically held at that response. The reading was recorded in newtons (N). Half of the deer were tested on the right antler, followed by the left antler and vice versa. This was performed to minimise the animal’s anticipation of the procedure and reduce bias. The cut-off point for pressure algometry was set at 50 N, to minimise any tissue damage and extra discomfort in animals [8 ].

Pain threshold will be measured using a digital algometer (model FPX25, Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT, USA). The point of measurement will be acupuncture point BL57 in both calves, at which the rubber tip will be pressed perpendicularly into the muscle with a consistently increasing force of 0.25 kg/cm²/s [37 (link)]. The values will be obtained when the subject indicates the onset of pain. Each leg will be measured three times after brief resetting times. Average values will be obtained for further analysis. The pain threshold will be measured immediately after measuring the calf circumference.

Were assessed by measuring PPTs at a symptomatic test site (trapezius muscle) and three remote test sites (triceps muscle, lower back, and tibialis anterior muscle (upper and lower quadrant and axial)) using a hand-held pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments, FPX 25) [18 (link)]. The algometer’s 1-cm² rubber tip was positioned at an angle of 90° relative to the body part being assessed, and pressure was applied at a rate of 1 kg/s. The participants laid down in a prone position when measuring the PPTs on their lower back, laid down in a supine position when measuring the PPTs on their triceps and the tibialis anterior test sites, and remained seated while measuring at the trapezius test site. They were instructed to say ‘stop’ as soon as the pressure sensation changed to one of discomfort. At that point, the pressure algometer was removed and the value on the display was recorded. This procedure was repeated three times at each test site (30 s between each measurement). The PPT was established as the mean of the last two values, since this approach has been found to be reliable in both children and adults [18 (link)].

Previous research indicated that the FBI can be associated with costs for the real body (see also: Swinkels et al., 2020 (link)).We therefore wanted to explore the pressure pain threshold as a measure of these costs. A digital algometer (Wagner instruments, FPX 25) was used to measure the pressure pain threshold before and after each movement block. More details can be found in supplementary online materials (SOM1).

Wagner algometer (FPX 25, Wagner Instruments, Greenwich CT, USA) with a modified tip was used in this study.

The PPT is recorded using the digital algometer FPX-25 (Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT) to measure the midpoint of the bilateral trapezius muscle and the spinous process of the vertebra C2 [30 (link)]. The therapist gradually increases the pressure until the participant complains of pain or discomfort. PPT has reported high intra- and inter-rater reliabilities (ICC = 0.94–0.97; ICC = 0.79–0.90, respectively) amongst patients with neck pain[31 (link)]. The measurement should be repeated three times, and the average scores should be computed. The PPT will be assessed at the baseline, week 4 and week 12 of the study period.