Water temperature and biological sex influence cold pressor pain in healthy adults: a randomized within-subjects trial.

ABSTRACT: The Cold Pressor Test (CPT) is an established method for evaluating pain perception and stress responses; evidence indicates that females perceive the CPT as more painful than males. However, methodological variations-particularly in water temperature-complicate cross-study comparisons and hinder robust study designs. To address these issues, we examined the effects of three water temperatures (1°C, 3°C, and 6°C) on pain outcomes and physiological stress markers (heart rate [HR] and heart rate variability [HRV]) in healthy adults while exploring sex differences. In a randomized, single-blind, within-subjects trial with 148 participants (68% female), the CPT was administered using a temperature-controlled cooling device with continuous circulation. Participants immersed their dominant hand

SUBMITTER: Goreis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12307380 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature