title: Touch sensitivity through latex examination gloves.
abstract: Two studies were conducted to empirically evaluate individuals' touch sensitivity while wearing latex medical-examination gloves. In Experiment 1, three sensitivity threshold measures (two-point, von Frey, and thumb-index finger opposition) were used in three conditions--no glove, best-fitting glove, and ill-fitting glove. No effect of glove condition was found for the two-point measure, but significant effects were found for the von Frey and finger-opposition measures. In Experiment 2, participants attempted to sense the presence or absence of monofilament fibers of different diameters. Glove condition (no glove, best-fitting, and ill-fitting) and touch strategy (active vs. passive) were manipulated for each participant. Although there was no overall effect for glove condition, active touch proved consistently superior to passive touch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Temple University.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex; D008297:Male; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013236:Stereognosis; D013933:Thumb; D014110:Touch
chemical_list: D007840:Latex