Fig. 7. The change in mean arterial pressure (MAP), norepinephrine (NE), and pain responses (VASpain) (mean Δ± SD) to the cold-pressor test. This test was applied before (preinfusion), during each infusion of dexmedetomidine, and one time in the recovery period (n 5 for recovery). The VASpainscale rates pain from 0 no pain to 100 excruciating pain. Perception of pain was significantly reduced during the infusions (response evaluated with use of nonparametric statistics). The MAP and norepinephrine responses also were attenuated at all infusion steps. *Significant change from preinfusion baseline, P < 0.05.