Abstract

Quantitative pain assessment is important for effective pain management. Pain pressure threshold (PPT) and Pain Tolerance (PT) measured through pressure algometry offer valuable tools for quantitative evaluation of nociceptive stimuli. Commercially available pressure algometers are often expensive, lack modularity and cannot integrate well into multi-component monitoring systems. Although low-cost algometers are available, most require complex calibration and lack a digital interface, limiting real-time data acquisition and integration with electronic health record systems.

In the current study, we describe a durable and accurate pressure algometer built on a syringe, an Arduino microprocessor and an analog piezoelectric pressure sensor. The PPT values obtained with our device align well with data obtained with commercially available digital and mechanical algometers. In addition, our device can be easily connected to computer via a USB, allowing for convenient data storage and analysis.

Our results demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of a novel algometry device constructed from readily available materials and requires minimal engineering and programming skills. The device operates without addition calibration and can seemlessly integrate with a computer using open-source software.

Highlights

We present a digital algometer comprised of a standard plastic syringe, an analog pressure sensor, and an Arduino UNO microcontroller.

The device provides applied force measurement with high precision, compatible with commercially available algometers.

The device is user-friendly, requiring no special skills or software to use, and transfers data directly to a computer. Additionally, it may be synchronized with other biosensors for multichannel signal acquisition.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study did not receive any funding

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ariel University Medical School Ethical Committee The ethical approval was granted

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

Data Availability

All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript

AbbreviationsPPTpain pressure thresholdVASVisual Analog ScaleNRSNumeric Rating ScaleMPQMcGill Pain QuestionnaireADCAnalog-Digital Converter