Abstract: The present invention describes a system for inducing at least compressional or shear force on a subject and evaluating pain modulation, spatial and/or temporal summation of pain, or descending inhibition of pain in the subject, said system comprising a cuff unit comprising an inflatable cuff having at least two chambers or comprising at least two inflatable cuffs having one or more chambers each, each chamber having a coupling for connection to a compressor or other activator device; a compressor or other activator device arranged to provide inflation; and a computer unit with a control function, said control function directed to control of inflation rates and independent control of each chamber. The present invention is also directed to an inflatable cuff for a system according to above and also to the use and methods involving the use of such a system.

Abstract: A device for evoking a temporal summation of pain in a subject. The device comprises a stimulation element (SE) arranged generating a physical stimulation on a skin surface area of at least 20 cm2 according to a control signal (CS), where the stimulation (PS) evokes pain in the subject. A processor (PR) generates the control signal (CS) to the stimulation element (SE) so as to provide a repetitive stimulation pattern comprising at least repetitions of: a)applying stimulation for a period (SP) of 0.5-120 seconds, b)stopping stimulation for a period (TP) of 0.5-20 seconds. Preferred periods are 1-3 seconds for both stimulation and intermediate stopping periods. The stimulation element may include an inflatable tourniquet arranged for providing a compressional stimulation of an arm or a leg. However, other types of stimulation elements may be used such as electric, heating, mechanical stimulation or the like may be used.