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Evaluation of the finger wrinkling test: a pilot study
S van Barneveld1, J van der Palen, M J A M van Putten
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Haaksbergerstraat 55, 7513 ER, Enschede, The Netherlands. sylvia_van_barneveld@hotmail.com
Summary
The finger wrinkling test effectively screens for autonomic dysfunction, correlating with tilt table testing results. Visual assessment of wrinkling is currently more reliable than digital image analysis for this autonomic nervous system evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Autonomic Nervous System Physiology
- Cardiovascular Regulation
- Peripheral Nerve Function
Background:
- Tilt table testing assesses the systemic cardiovascular autonomic nervous system.
- The finger wrinkling test is hypothesized to evaluate the peripheral autonomic nervous system.
- Autonomic dysfunction requires reliable diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the utility of the finger wrinkling test for diagnosing autonomic dysfunction.
- To investigate if digital analysis of photographs can enhance clinical wrinkling evaluation.
- To compare finger wrinkling test results with tilt table testing.
Main Methods:
- 20 healthy subjects and 15 patients underwent both tilt table and finger wrinkling tests.
- Finger wrinkling test involved 40°C water immersion with assessments at 0, 5, 15, and 30 minutes.
- Clinical wrinkling was scored, and photographs were digitally analyzed for specific features.
Main Results:
- Clinical wrinkling scores differentiated healthy subjects from patients with abnormal tilt table test responses.
- Mean grey value and wrinkle gradient were key digital analysis features.
- No significant difference was found between tilt table test and finger wrinkling test results (kappa = 0.68).
Conclusions:
- The finger wrinkling test serves as a valuable screening tool prior to tilt table testing.
- Visual evaluation of finger wrinkling remains superior to digital analysis.
- The finger wrinkling test shows promise for assessing peripheral autonomic function.
