Inter- and Intra-Examiner Reliability Study of Two-Point Discrimination Test (TPD) and Two-Point Estimation Task...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Anatomy & Physiology

Background:

• Tactile acuity assessment typically uses two-point discrimination (TPD) and two-point estimation (TPE) tests.
• These tests are limited to the lumbar and cervical spine, neglecting the sacral region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of TPD and TPE in the S3 sacral segment.
• To establish reliable methods for tactile acuity measurement in previously unassessed spinal regions.

Main Methods:

• Thirty pain-free adults (20-30 years) participated.
• Digital calipers were used for TPD (5 and 15 cm from midline) and TPE measurements.
• Two examiners conducted tests in sessions with 10-minute intervals, followed by a second session with one examiner.

Main Results:

• TPD demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC 0.76-0.92) and intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.79-0.86).
• TPE showed good to excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC 0.65-0.94) and excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.85-0.89).
• Two measurements were sufficient for reliable tactile acuity assessment (ICC ≥ 0.75).

Conclusions:

• TPD and TPE are reliable methods for assessing tactile acuity at the S3 sacral segment.
• The findings support the use of these tests for comprehensive spinal tactile acuity evaluation.
• Establishing reliability in the sacral region allows for broader clinical and research applications.