The Effect of Anxiety on Pain-pressure Threshold in a Healthy Population

Purpose Anxiety in general has been associated with lower (more sensitive) pain-pressure thresholds, however, to the best of the investigators knowledge, no research has attempted to differentiate state versus trait anxiety and their respective impacts on pressure sensitivity. Trait anxiety is an individuals tendency to appraise situations as threatening, avoid anxiety provoking situations, and demonstrate high baseline physiological arousal. State anxiety is defined as; transient state of arousal subjectively experienced as anxiety; This study's objective is to differentiate the role of each anxiety subscale in systemic sensory perception changes. This data may better allow clinicians to glean accurate data about an individuals baseline symptoms as well as potentially shedding light on state-related changes in pain thresholds. Objectives The primary objective of this study will be to elucidate the differing relationships of trait anxiety and state anxiety on pain-pressure threshold (PPT.) While other measures exist to gauge potential sensitization to sensory stimuli, PPT is often chosen for research due to the ease of administration and its ability to translate data into practice. Study Population Target population will be healthy adults age 18+. As will be delineated further in this document, this study will recruit healthy adults such as to minimize potential modifications in sensory perception due to comorbidities, medication etc. Number of Participants The study will enroll 60 participants to provide more robust statistical power Study Design The study will be a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The study will seek to draw associations between the different anxiety subscales and the subject's pain-pressure threshold. No variables will be manipulated. Study Duration The study participants will complete the STAI-5, a validated short version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Immediately after questionnaire administration participants will be tested for pain-pressure thresholds. Each participant session will last approximately 30 minutes. The entire study duration will be 20 weeks to allow for test administration for all participants. Outcome Variables The outcome variable in question is pain-pressure threshold for the bilateral upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis, Tibialis anterior, and lumbar paraspinal (L3 segment level) muscles. Each site will be tested three times, and the results will be averaged. The mean score from both sides will also subsequently be averaged to provide a single numerical outcome for each participant. PPT data for each participant will be compared with both Trait and State anxiety scores from the STAI-5 tool. Locations/Facilities The research will be conducted entirely within the research suite in the Physical Therapy Department of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus, Suwanee, GA.