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Age changes in pain perception : A systematic-review and meta-analysis of age effects on pain and tolerance thresholds
Peters, Jan H.; Lautenbacher, Stefan; Heesen, Michael; u. a. (2017): „Age changes in pain perception : A systematic-review and meta-analysis of age effects on pain and tolerance thresholds“. Amsterdam [u.a.]: Elsevier Science doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.039.
Faculty/Professorship:
Author:
Title of the Journal:
Neuroscience & biobehavioral reviews : official journal of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society
ISSN:
0149-7634
Publisher Information:
Year of publication:
2017
Volume:
75
Pages:
Language:
English
Abstract:
Demographic changes, with substantial increase in life expectancy, ask for solid knowledge about how pain perception might be altered by aging. Although psychophysical studies on age-related changes in pain perception have been conducted over more than 70 years, meta-analyses are still missing. The present meta-analysis aimed to quantify evidence on age-related changes in pain perception, indexed by pain thresholds and pain tolerance thresholds in young and older healthy adults. After searching PubMed, Google Scholar and PsycINFO using state-of-art screening (PRISMA-criteria), 31 studies on pain threshold and 9 studies assessing pain tolerance threshold were identified. Pain threshold increases with age, which is indicated by a large effect size. This age-related change increases the wider the age-gap between groups; and is especially prominent when heat is used and when stimuli are applied to the head. In contrast, pain tolerance thresholds did not show substantial age-related changes. Thus, after many years of investigating age-related changes in pain perception, we only have firm evidence that aging reduces pain sensitivity for lower pain intensities.
Peer Reviewed:
Yes:
International Distribution:
Yes:
Type:
Article
published:
August 17, 2017
Permalink
https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/42360