Effect of test order on sensitivity in vulvodynia
Reed, B.D.; Sen, A.; Gracely, R.H.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 52(3): 199-206
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 17465287 Document Number: 606275
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of order of sensitivity testing at the vulva and thumb on the sensitivity determined at the second site tested among women with and without vulvodynia.STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the stability of sensitivity measurements to pressure at the vulva and thumb when the order of testing was randomized to vulva first vs. thumb first; we repeated testing 1 week later in the opposite order.RESULTS: Stability of results over time and the influence of the order of testing were determined among 13 women with vulvodynia and 20 asymptomatic control women. We found a strong correlation between results compared between the first and second visits as well as no order effect.CONCLUSION: The order of testing at vulvar and peripheral sites has little impact on the results of pressure-responsive sensitivity testing among women with and without vulvodynia.