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Tactile acuity testing at the neck: A comparison of methods
Daniel S Harvie1, Joan Kelly1, Hayden Buckman2
1Recover Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Musculoskeletal Science & Practice
|August 12, 2017
Summary
This study assessed tactile acuity tests in the neck region. Two-point discrimination showed the best reliability, and several tests were responsive to training, but they are not interchangeable.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Musculoskeletal Practice
- Somatosensory System
Background:
- Tactile acuity measurement is gaining interest in musculoskeletal practice due to its link with somatosensory cortex reorganization in chronic pain.
- Several methods exist, but their reliability and validity in the cervical region are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness of four tactile acuity tests in the cervical region.
- Investigate Two-point discrimination, Point-to-point, Graphesthesia, and Localisation tests.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two healthy participants were recruited.
- Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity were assessed in 22 participants.
- Responsiveness was evaluated in 20 participants before and after five daily tactile training sessions.
Main Results:
- Two-point discrimination exhibited excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.85).
- Point-to-point and Localisation tests showed good reliability (ICC=0.60).
- Graphesthesia demonstrated fair reliability (ICC=0.48); no significant correlation was found among measures. Only Graphesthesia lacked responsiveness to training.
Conclusions:
- Two-point discrimination appears most reliable for cervical tactile acuity assessment, though measurement variability requires consideration.
- Two-point discrimination, Point-to-point, and Localisation tests show responsiveness, but further clinical validation is needed.
- The lack of concurrent validity indicates these tests are not interchangeable for assessing cervical tactile acuity.
