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Human Experimental Pain Models
Author Bios
Learning Objectives
Clinical Significance and Phenomenology
Complex Diseases: Need to Simplify
Model Requirements
Brief and Sustained Experimental Pain
Choice of the Pain Stimulus
A Model Design for Pain Experimentation
Experiential Adjustment
Choice of Stimulation Site
Stimulation Site for a Study of TMJD
Experimental Design
Currently selected section: Model Validation: Level 1
Model Validation: Level 2
Model Validation: Level 3
Model Validation: An Example
Cross-Validation with Other Model Systems
Model Systems as Tools
Sample Size Estimation
Potential Difficulties
Conclusion

 

Chapter 21: Human Experimental Pain Models: Model Validation: Level 1
        

With respect to a particular taxonomic system (A, B, C), an estimate of the internal validity is gained from contrasting the symptom report with the level of expression of the corresponding clinical sign. This contrast could include comparisons of the report of pain with clinical measures of pain sensitivity or in-sensitivity, or the report of limited range of motion with measures of such function. Mismatch between symptom report and the corresponding clinical sign represents an indication of questionable internal validity for that particular diagnostic taxonomy.

Figure 12.1: Level 1 of Model Validation Process
Graphic depiction of Level I of model validation process, described in text.
Development of a reference standard for model validation is based on the clinical description of the disease in question. A, B, and C represent case definitions according to prevailing diagnostic taxonomies. Internal validation is obtained by contrasting symptoms described by patients with clinically measured data of the associated phenomenon.


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