Proximal and distal esophageal sensitivity is decreased in patients with Barrett’s esophagus

Figure 2 Schematic illustration of the stimulation protocol. The following stimulations were applied in the metaplastic part 4 cm above the esophago-gastric junction: three mechanical preconditioning stimuli to the pain threshold [visual analogue scale (VAS) = 5]; mechanical stimulation to moderate pain (VAS = 7); thermal stimulation to the pain threshold; electrical stimulation to moderate pain; 50 electrical stimulations at the pain threshold were done to record evoked brain potentials. The mechanical, thermal and electrical stimulations were repeated 14 cm above the sphincter.