How Do We Examine and Interpret Pain Hypersensitivity Phenomena in the Context of Nociplastic Pain?

Prof. Baron will specifically focus on the hypersensitivity phenomena, the presence of which is mandatory for the classification of nociplastic pain. Based on his seminal work within the neuropathic pain field, he will present state-of-the art clinical algorithms to be used to screen and test for static and dynamic mechanical allodynia as well as heat/cold allodynia in a clinical setting. He will present practical strategies to optimize the validity and reliability of these bed-side examinations and discuss how the findings should be interpreted in mechanistic terms and used to distinguish between patients with different pain types. Although, currently quantitative sensory testing (QST) is not included in the nociplastic pain classification criteria, as QST equipment is expensive and thus often not available in clinical settings, is is still recognized that QST may have the potential to improve the grading of nociplastic pain. Prof. Baron will discuss the pros and cons with current QST protocols in the perspective of nociplastic pain and discuss future developments of QST to improve grading of nociplastic pain. Finally, the need to develop new strategies for phenotyping and stratification of the heterogenous group of patients suffering from nociplastic pain will be discussed in a broader context.