PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Sex-related differences in human thermal and pain sensitivity are the subject of controversial discussion. The goal of this study in a large number of subjects was to investigate sex differences in thermal and thermal pain perception and the thermal grill illusion (TGI) as a phenomenon reflecting crosstalk between the thermoreceptive and nociceptive systems. The thermal grill illusion is a sensation of strong, but not necessarily painful, heat often preceded by transient cold upon skin contact with spatially interlaced innocuous warm and cool stimuli.
The TGI was studied in a group of 78 female and 58 male undergraduate students and was evoked by placing the palm of the right hand on the thermal grill (20/40 °C interleaved stimulus). Sex-related thermal perception was investigated by a retrospective analysis of thermal detection and thermal pain threshold data that had been measured in student laboratory courses over 5 years (776 female and 476 male undergraduate students) using the method of quantitative sensory testing (QST). To analyse correlations between thermal pain sensitivity and the TGI, thermal pain threshold and the TGI were determined in a group of 20 female and 20 male undergraduate students.
The TGI was more pronounced in females than males. Females were more sensitive with respect to thermal detection and thermal pain thresholds. Independent of sex, thermal detection thresholds were dependent on the baseline temperature with a specific progression of an optimum curve for cold detection threshold versus baseline temperature. The distribution of cold pain thresholds was multi-modal and sex-dependent. The more pronounced TGI in females correlated with higher cold sensitivity and cold pain sensitivity in females than in males.
Our finding that thermal detection threshold not only differs between the sexes but is also dependent on the baseline temperature reveals a complex processing of \"cold\" and \"warm\" inputs in thermal perception. The results of the TGI experiment support the assumption that sex differences in cold-related thermoreception are responsible for sex differences in the TGI.
The TGI was studied in a group of 78 female and 58 male undergraduate students and was evoked by placing the palm of the right hand on the thermal grill (20/40 °C interleaved stimulus). Sex-related thermal perception was investigated by a retrospective analysis of thermal detection and thermal pain threshold data that had been measured in student laboratory courses over 5 years (776 female and 476 male undergraduate students) using the method of quantitative sensory testing (QST). To analyse correlations between thermal pain sensitivity and the TGI, thermal pain threshold and the TGI were determined in a group of 20 female and 20 male undergraduate students.
The TGI was more pronounced in females than males. Females were more sensitive with respect to thermal detection and thermal pain thresholds. Independent of sex, thermal detection thresholds were dependent on the baseline temperature with a specific progression of an optimum curve for cold detection threshold versus baseline temperature. The distribution of cold pain thresholds was multi-modal and sex-dependent. The more pronounced TGI in females correlated with higher cold sensitivity and cold pain sensitivity in females than in males.
Our finding that thermal detection threshold not only differs between the sexes but is also dependent on the baseline temperature reveals a complex processing of \"cold\" and \"warm\" inputs in thermal perception. The results of the TGI experiment support the assumption that sex differences in cold-related thermoreception are responsible for sex differences in the TGI.
摘要：
人类热和疼痛敏感性的性别相关差异是有争议的讨论主题。这项研究在许多受试者中的目的是研究热和热疼痛感知以及热烧烤错觉（TGI）的性别差异，这是反映热感受系统和伤害感受系统之间串扰的现象。热格栅错觉是一种强烈的感觉，但不一定痛苦，在皮肤与空间交错的无害的温暖和凉爽刺激接触时，通常会出现短暂的寒冷。
在一组78名女性和58名男性本科生中研究了TGI，并通过将右手的手掌放在热格栅上（20/40°C交错刺激）来唤起TGI。使用定量感觉测试（QST）的方法，对5年来在学生实验室课程（776名女性和476名男性本科生）中测量的热检测和热痛阈值数据进行了回顾性分析，研究了与性别相关的热感知。为了分析热痛敏感性与TGI之间的相关性，在一组20名女性和20名男性大学生中确定了热痛阈值和TGI。
女性的TGI比男性更明显。女性对热检测和热痛阈值更敏感。与性无关，热检测阈值取决于基线温度,冷检测阈值与基线温度的最佳曲线的具体进展.冷痛阈值的分布是多模态和性别依赖性的。女性中更明显的TGI与女性比男性更高的冷敏感性和冷痛敏感性相关。
我们的发现，热检测阈值不仅在性别之间不同，而且还取决于基线温度，揭示了热感知中“冷”和“暖”输入的复杂处理。TGI实验的结果支持以下假设：与寒冷有关的热接收的性别差异是TGI性别差异的原因。
在一组78名女性和58名男性本科生中研究了TGI，并通过将右手的手掌放在热格栅上（20/40°C交错刺激）来唤起TGI。使用定量感觉测试（QST）的方法，对5年来在学生实验室课程（776名女性和476名男性本科生）中测量的热检测和热痛阈值数据进行了回顾性分析，研究了与性别相关的热感知。为了分析热痛敏感性与TGI之间的相关性，在一组20名女性和20名男性大学生中确定了热痛阈值和TGI。
女性的TGI比男性更明显。女性对热检测和热痛阈值更敏感。与性无关，热检测阈值取决于基线温度,冷检测阈值与基线温度的最佳曲线的具体进展.冷痛阈值的分布是多模态和性别依赖性的。女性中更明显的TGI与女性比男性更高的冷敏感性和冷痛敏感性相关。
我们的发现，热检测阈值不仅在性别之间不同，而且还取决于基线温度，揭示了热感知中“冷”和“暖”输入的复杂处理。TGI实验的结果支持以下假设：与寒冷有关的热接收的性别差异是TGI性别差异的原因。
