Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: July-Sep | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 55-58
Effect of Cold Stimulation Induced Pain on Galvanic Skin Response in Medical Undergraduates of Kathmandu University School of medical Sciences (KUSMS)
Dr. Reena Kumari Jha1, Miss Shreya Amatya2, Dr. Ojaswi Nepal3, Miss Manisha Bade1, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Jha1
1Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
2Human Biology Student, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
3Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
Corresponding Author: Dr. Reena Kumari Jha
ABSTRACT
Background: Pain, a complex neuro-physiological process is known to elicit sympathetic responses which are monitored by measuring galvanic response of the skin. Galvanic skin response (GSR) is a change in potential recorded from the surface of the skin and represents pseudomotor activity.
Objectives: To evaluate the changes in skin conductance during the pain induced by cold stimulation.
Methods: Our study was an experimental study with the sample size of 40 including 20 males and 20 females from medical undergraduate students. Acute pain was induced by cold pressor test (immersion of hand in cold water at 4oC). Changes in GSR were recorded by the AD instrument. Statistical analysis was done by using Paired “t” test.
Results: Results showed that skin conductance was significantly increased (P<0.05) from 4.24±2.53 microSiemens to 5.36±2.7 microSiemens in male and from 3.44±1.52 microSiemens to 4.26±1.6 microSiemens in female during cold pressor test. Immersion of hand in ice-water stimulates nociceptors, which in turn may produce a reflex via the central nervous system.
Conclusions: Our GSR findings point towards autonomic adjustments suggesting more of sympathetic over activity during cold induced acute pain.
Keywords: Cold pressor test, galvanic skin response, pain