Human experimental pain models 2: the cold pressor model

Abstract

The cold pressor test is a reliable pain model in which subjects submerge their hands and forearms into ice water while onset to pain, pain intensity, and tolerance are assessed. Although originally developed as a model for hypertension, the paradigm leads to development of reproducible pain responses allowing assessment to analgesic medications. However, analgesic variability to various medications has been observed. A recent study suggests that methodological discrepancies may contribute to such inconsistencies. The model may be more reproducible by utilizing consistent protocols.