TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON VIBROTACTILE SENSITIVITY THRESHOLD MEASUREMENTS - IMPLICATIONS FOR CARPAL-TUNNEL SCREENING-TESTS

Citation
E. Klinenberg et al., TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON VIBROTACTILE SENSITIVITY THRESHOLD MEASUREMENTS - IMPLICATIONS FOR CARPAL-TUNNEL SCREENING-TESTS, The Journal of hand surgery, 21A(1), 1996, pp. 132-137
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Orthopedics,Surgery
Journal title
ISSN journal
03635023
Volume
21A
Issue
1
Year of publication
1996
Pages
132 - 137
Database
ISI
SICI code
0363-5023(1996)21A:1<132:TEOVST>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
This study examines the effect of skin temperature on fingertip vibrot actile sensitivity measurements and the resulting implications for car pal tunnel syndrome screening tests. Twenty subjects (11 men, 9 women) were tested for fingertip vibrotactile thresholds using the method of limits at four different frequencies (31.5, 125, 250, and 500 Hz) and six temperature categories (17 degrees-20 degrees C, 20 degrees-23 de grees C, 23 degrees-26 degrees C, 26 degrees-29 degrees C, 29 degrees- 32 degrees C, 32 degrees-35 degrees C). Vibrotactile sensitivity thres holds increased with decreasing fingertip skin temperature. Furthermor e, the relationship was a function of vibration frequency. Higher freq uencies were more affected by temperature than lower frequencies, with significant effects beginning at 29 degrees C. These temperature-rela ted effects may lead to possible false positive results in screening f or carpal tunnel syndrome or other neuropathies. To minimize potential temperature-induced misclassification errors during these screening t ests, fingertip skin temperature should be recorded before measurement and probably maintained above 29 degrees C during the measurement.