British journal of rheumatology
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The temperature response of the hands to mild cold stress (20 degrees C for one minute) has been measured in 20 normal subjects, 20 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and 10 patients with chronic upper limb pain (CULP) of uncertain origin. The results of RSD and CULP groups were significantly (p less than 0.05) different from normal but were indistinguishable. ⋯ The thermal stress test is useful in the objective assessment of RSD. It is non-invasive, patient acceptable and reproducible.