Somatosensory profiling: think before you act.

Introduction: Characterizing somatosensory profiles or phenotypes in subgroups of patients may provide indirect insights into underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The most common method for quantifying somatosensory function is quantitative sensory testing (QST). This paper describes a protocol for determining these somatosensory profiles in a breast cancer population. Methods: A standardized QST protocol is implemented including nine static and dynamic QST methods (mechanical detection-pain thresholds, pressure pain thresholds, thermal detection-pain thresholds for heat and cold, temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation) performed in the surgical area and more distant regions. After the QST assessment, distribution of the data is checked and data is transformed if necessary (raw or log-transformed data).1,2 Subsequently, QST data is z-transformed using the mean and standard deviation of a 15332500, 2022, S2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papr.13128 by EBSCO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES - Journal Digital Lic, Wiley Online Library on [19/10/2022]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commonscontrol group as reference data. The algebraic sign of the resulting z score is adjusted appropriately for clarity of data presentation (increased-decreased sensitivity to the tested stimuli). Results: The z-scores acquired with this protocol can inform at a glance whether there is a loss or gain in somatosensory function. Findings can be visualized using a scatter or bar chart. Discussion: Although this protocol was used to determine somatosensory profiles in a breast cancer population, the methodology for determining these profiles can be applied to data from other populations as well. Process evaluation: To correctly interpret QST results, data from a reference population that matches in QST method and test site is required. The proactive development of normative databases for specific QST protocols will improve the efficiency of QST data processing in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]