Nociceptive flexion reflexes elicited by noxious laser radiant heat in man

Abstract

This study, carried out in humans, is an attempt to elicit nociceptive flexion reflexes and to investigate the sensation reported by the subjects, using thermal stimulation achieved with laser radiant heat. It was found that noxious termal stimulation elicited long latency nociceptive reflexes very well correlated with a pricking pain. Since thermal stimulus is more specific and natural than an electrical one, it seems that this method should be of interest for pain research in man.