الملخص
In this study, the effect of various stressors on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pressure pain tolerance (PTOL) were investigated. In addition, other variables like body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were studied. This was a self controlled study carried out on 80 2nd year female medical students at King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia during the year of 2007. The students were assessed before and after they were subjected to certain stressors. The independent variable was either mental or physical stress, the dependant variables were PPT and PTOL. Measurements of PPT and PTOL were done by a pressure Algometer. The two physical stressors used were; a cold water immersion and an isometric exercise (ISO EX) with a dynamometer. The mental stressor employed was an objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in the subject of Anatomy. All three stressors increased the PPT evident by a significant increase in the absolute values of PPT immediately after the exposure to the stressors. The PTOL was also significantly increased immediately after exposure to the physical stressors but in response to the Anatomy OSPE, the PTOL readings were not significantly increased.
