The Cold Pressor Test for the Pediatric Population: Refinement of Procedures, Development of Norms, and Study of Psychological Variables

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were: (a) to propose focal refinements to the cold pressor test (CPT) for the pediatric population, contributing to the development of subjective and behavioral norms; (b) to analyze the influence of personal (gender, age, and skin-fold thickness), and psychological (anxiety, depression, internalization, and externalization) variables on pain perception and its correlation with room temperature. METHODS: After a phase of adaptation in a water bath (24-27 degrees C), the child immersed one arm in cold water (10 degrees C) and reported pain threshold and tolerance. RESULTS: The test was conducted on 141 healthy children. Pain tolerance was reached within the first minute by 50% of the children. Pain intensity affected the children's emotional status. Older children tolerated pain for longer. Gender, psychological, and environmental variables did not influence pain perception. CONCLUSION: This study provides methodological refinements to the CPT contributing to the development of norms for children.