Tactile acuity testing at the neck: A comparison of methods

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Harvie, Daniel S
Kelly, Joan
Buckman, Hayden
Chan, Jonathan
Sutherland, Grace
Catley, Mark
Novak, James
Tuttle, Neil
Sterling, Michele
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2017
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Background: Interest in measurement of tactile acuity in musculoskeletal practice has emerged following its link to functional reorganization of the somatosensory cortex in ongoing pain states. Several tactile acuity measurement methods have been described but have not been thoroughly investigated in the cervical region. Objective: This study examined reliability, concurrent validity and responsiveness of four tests of tactile acuitydTwo-point discrimination, Point-to-point, Graphesthesia, and Localisation testsdat the cervical region. Method: Forty-two healthy participants were included. In Part 1 (n ¼ 22), participants' tactile acuity was assessed at two time points, 30 min apart, to determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of each of the tests. In Part 2 (n ¼ 20), participants received five daily tactile training sessions, delivered via a vibro-tactile device. Tactile acuity was assessed pre- and post-training to examine responsiveness of each test. Results: Two-point discrimination demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ¼ 0.85, SEM ¼ 3.7 mm), Point-to-point and Localisation tests demonstrated good reliability (ICC ¼ 0.60, SEM ¼ 2.8 mm; ICC ¼ 0.60, SEM ¼ 8.8%), and Graphesthesia demonstrated fair reliability (ICC ¼ 0.48, SEM ¼ 1.9/20). There was no significant correlation among measures. Only Graphesthesia failed to show responsiveness to change following training. Conclusion: The reliability of Two-point discrimination appears superior to other examined tests of tactile acuity, however measurement variability should be considered. Two-point discrimination, Pointto-point, and Localisation tests appear responsive to change, although testing in clinical samples is needed. The lack of concurrent validity among tests suggests that they cannot be used interchangeably

Journal Title

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

32

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections