Reliability and Validity of Non-Invasive Electrical Detection and Pain Thresholds Using PainVision® in Healthy Young Adults

Shiya Yu,1,2 Zhimo Yang,1,2 Baoyu Chen,1,2 Lisheng Wang,1,2 Jielei Huang,1,2 Li Gou,1,2 Lin Yang1,2 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China; 2Rehabilitation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin Yang, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Electrical detection threshold (EDT) and electrical pain threshold (EPT) measured via PainVision® offer a non-invasive method to objectively assess sensory function, directly targeting specific nerve fibers. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and preliminary validity of EDT and EPT across different anatomical sites in healthy young adults.Patients and Methods: Forty-six participants underwent EDT and EPT assessments at four sites across two sessions separated by 2– 3 days. Pain intensity at the medial forearm was recorded using the visual analogue scale (VAS) following 30-second electrical stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable changes (MDC) were calculated, and correlations between EPT and VAS were analyzed.Results: EDT and EPT showed good to excellent reliability (ICC 0.75– 0.95 and 0.83– 0.99, respectively). MDC ranged from 1.26– 1.81 for EDT and 1.18– 1.99 for EPT. EPT was negatively correlated with VAS scores (r = − 0.746, 95% CI [− 0.852, − 0.582]).Conclusion: EDT and EPT measurements using PainVision® demonstrated robust reliability and preliminary validity in healthy young adults, highlighting their potential as a standardized, non-invasive tool for assessing electrical sensory thresholds. This study provides baseline data for future research in clinical populations.Keywords: electrical detection threshold, electrical pain threshold, reliability, validity, pain assessment