Detection of skin temperature differences using palpation by manual physical therapists and lay individuals
David Levine1, J Randy Walker1, Denis J Marcellin-Little2
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA.
Objectives:
To evaluate the accuracy of detection of temperature differences among skin sites of lay individuals and manual physical therapists.
Methods:
Forty-four manual physical therapists and 44 lay individuals were recruited. Subjects palpated two temperature-controlled surfaces that ranged in temperature between 30 and 35 °C and varied randomly by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 °C for 10 s. The subjects were then asked to identify the warmer pad.
Results:
Accuracy increased with larger temperature differences. Accuracy of detection of 1 and 3 °C temperature differences was higher in manual physical therapists than lay individuals.
Discussion:
Palpation can be used to accurately detecting temperature differences between sites and is more accurately performed by an experienced practitioner.
Level Of Evidence:
3b.
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