Detecting autonomic response to pain in Rett syndrome.

Objective: To quantify pain response in girls affected by Rett syndrome (RTT) using electrodermal activity (EDA), a measure of skin conductance, reflecting sympathetic activity known to be modulated by physical and environmental stress.

Methods: EDA increase, heart rate (HR) increase and Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (FLACC) values calculated during venipuncture (invasive) and vital signs collection (non-invasive) events were compared with values calculated during a prior baseline and a RTT clinical severity score (CSS).

Results: EDA and HR increase were significantly higher than baseline during venipuncture only and not significantly correlated with FLACC or CSS.