Main Article Content
Comparison of pressure perception of static and dynamic two point discrimination in apparently healthy individuals
Abstract
Objective: The study was carried out to compare the perception of Static and Dynamic two point discrimination sensibility in the index finger and investigate the influence of some demographic characteristics such as age, gender and limb dominance on two point discrimination sensibility.
Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight apparently healthy subjects (68 males and 70 females) aged between 20 and 90 years, recruited by the purposive consecutive sampling technique, participated in the study and were grouped into 3 age groups of 20-39years (Group 1), 40-59 years (Group 2), and ≥60 years (Group 3). The study design was ex post facto; subjects were screened for previous sensory abnormalities through history taking and physical examination. An improvised discriminator on which a 5g monofilament fibre mounted was used to determine limits of static and dynamic two point discrimination sensitivity at the tips of both index fingers.
Results: Mean values of static two point discrimination in the right and left index fingers respectively were 1.77±0.79mm and 1.86±1.02mm in group 1, 1.58±0.70mm and 1.63±0.77mm in group 2, and 2.21±0.81mm and 2.02±0.80mm in group 3. There was a significant difference between static and dynamic two point discrimination within each of the groups (p<0.05) but none across the groups (p>0.05). Mean two point discrimination values between males and females were not significantly different in all groups (p>0.05). Static and dynamic two point discrimination values showed significant difference between the right and left index finger (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Age and gender did not affect the perception of static and dynamic two point discrimination while the limb side (left or right) affected the perception of static and dynamic two point discrimination. The index finger is also more sensitive to moving rather static sensations.
Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight apparently healthy subjects (68 males and 70 females) aged between 20 and 90 years, recruited by the purposive consecutive sampling technique, participated in the study and were grouped into 3 age groups of 20-39years (Group 1), 40-59 years (Group 2), and ≥60 years (Group 3). The study design was ex post facto; subjects were screened for previous sensory abnormalities through history taking and physical examination. An improvised discriminator on which a 5g monofilament fibre mounted was used to determine limits of static and dynamic two point discrimination sensitivity at the tips of both index fingers.
Results: Mean values of static two point discrimination in the right and left index fingers respectively were 1.77±0.79mm and 1.86±1.02mm in group 1, 1.58±0.70mm and 1.63±0.77mm in group 2, and 2.21±0.81mm and 2.02±0.80mm in group 3. There was a significant difference between static and dynamic two point discrimination within each of the groups (p<0.05) but none across the groups (p>0.05). Mean two point discrimination values between males and females were not significantly different in all groups (p>0.05). Static and dynamic two point discrimination values showed significant difference between the right and left index finger (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Age and gender did not affect the perception of static and dynamic two point discrimination while the limb side (left or right) affected the perception of static and dynamic two point discrimination. The index finger is also more sensitive to moving rather static sensations.
