Evaluation of EEG as a reliable measure of pain: an experimental pain study

Abstract Research is promising regarding the potential of Electroencephalography (EEG) for pain assessment, and this could have a positive impact people unable to communciate their (pre-verbal children/people with cognitive decline). However, limitations reliability controls, limit conclusions. The aims research were examine EEG assess pain, by studying measure across two acute experiences (somatic ischemic) controlling individual variability between experiences. Cold/somatic (cold pressor) exercise/ischemic (submaximum effort tourniquet technique/SETT) methods induction applied in healthy participants (n=30), while was continuously recorded (64-channel). Pain ratings (numerical rating scale/NRS/0-10; McGill Questionnaire/SF-MPQ/0-45). MATLAB/Brainstorm, used apply source localization techniques study differences baseline types, Delta (2-4Hz), Theta (5-7Hz), Alpha (8-12Hz), Beta (13-29Hz). Average frequency power each computed relationship frequencies assessed. T-tests (FDR correction Brainstorm/MATLAB) revealed significant both conditions compared all four primarily central, parietal, frontal regions. Correlations subjective (MPQ) found correlations (r = .53, p .001) cold/somatic only. No other reliable associations observed.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Overall, results suggest promise utility specifically activity, an effect size indicating good activity pain. Some inconsistency means different experienced not supported, definitive conclusions cannot be made at stage. This has implications researchers clinicians neurological based interventions (e.g., neurofeedback). Category Technology Methods Basic Research: 15. Keywords: (EEG), Ischemic Somatic Experimental