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Reference values for touch sensibility thresholds in healthy Nepalese volunteers
C M Kets1, M E Van Leerdam, W H Van Brakel
1Green Pastures Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal.
Leprosy Review
|March 1, 1996
Summary
This study establishes normative tactile sensibility thresholds for the Nepali population using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and moving-point discrimination. Findings reveal higher thresholds compared to North American data, providing essential benchmarks for clinical assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Establishing normative tactile sensory data is crucial for diagnosing neurological conditions.
- Previous research has primarily focused on Western populations, necessitating culturally specific data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normative tactile sensibility thresholds in the healthy adult Nepali population.
- To compare these thresholds with existing data from other populations.
Main Methods:
- 136 healthy Nepali volunteers (ages 16-67) underwent testing using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWM) and moving-point discrimination (M2PD).
- Standardized sites on hands and feet were assessed.
- Quantile regression analyzed the influence of age, sex, occupation, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Main Results:
- Recommended hand threshold for 'normal' touch using SWM: 200 mg (99% detection).
- Recommended foot threshold using SWM: 2 g.
- Recommended moving-point discrimination threshold for the hand: 4 mm.
- Tactile thresholds in Nepal were generally higher than those reported for North America.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first normative data for tactile sensibility in the Nepali population.
- The established thresholds (200 mg for hand, 2 g for foot SWM) are suitable for screening.
- Higher thresholds in this population may reflect environmental or genetic factors, warranting further investigation.