Comparison of perception threshold testing and thermal-vibratory testing.
Current perception threshold testing (CPT) is thought to selectively activate and measure three types of afferent nerves. However, it has not been standardized or compared with better-studied methods of sensory testing. Our objectives were to determine the relationship between CPT (2000 Hz, 250 Hz, 5 Hz) and quantitative sensory testing (QST) using vibratory and heat thresholds, and to assess the test-retest reliability of both methods. Twenty-seven healthy women were enrolled. Each woman underwent CPT and QST on the volar part of the arm. Sensory thresholds were determined by the method of limits; 20 women underwent repeated CPT testing and QST after 1 week to determine test-retest reliability. Thermal thresholds were moderately correlated with CPT at 5 Hz (rho = 0.49, P = 0.009), as were vibratory thresholds and CPT at 2000 Hz (rho = 0.5, P = 0.008). In contrast to CPT measurements, warm and vibratory and cold thresholds were correlated 1 week apart (rho = 0.73, P = 0.0001; rho = 0.83, P = 0.0001; and rho = 0.47, P = 0.0037, respectively). CPT testing and QST seem to be measuring similar afferent nerve-fiber populations, but QST has better test-retest reliability than CPT testing, justifying its role in clinical or research studies.
Lowenstein
Lior
L
Department of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. llowenstein@lumc.edu
Jesse
Kathy
K
Kenton
Kimberly
K
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration