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

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.