The Effects of Water Temperature on the Cold Pressor Test

"The cold pressor test is a procedure used for examining pain threshold and tolerance by subjects placing their forearm in an ice bath. Each participant will take the CPT at 1 °C, 5°C, and 9°C. The first CPT will always be at 1 °C, to ensure participants tolerate the ice bath at the standard temperature. The order of the subsequent CPT at 5°C and 9°C, will be randomized to control for differential carry over effects. Participants will be instructed to say Pain when pain is initially detected (threshold). Then they will be asked to keep the immersed limb in the container until the pain can no longer be tolerated and say Stop and remove the arm from the water when tolerance is reached."