title: Differences in two-point discrimination and sensory threshold in the blind between braille and text reading: a pilot study.
abstract: [Purpose] This study investigated two-point discrimination (TPD) and the electrical sensory threshold of the blind to define the effect of using Braille on the tactile and electrical senses. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight blind participants were divided equally into a text-reading and a Braille-reading group. We measured tactile sensory and electrical thresholds using the TPD method and a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator. [Results] The left palm TPD values were significantly different between the groups. The values of the electrical sensory threshold in the left hand, the electrical pain threshold in the left hand, and the electrical pain threshold in the right hand were significantly lower in the Braille group than in the text group. [Conclusion] These findings make it difficult to explain the difference in tactility between groups, excluding both palms. However, our data show that using Braille can enhance development of the sensory median nerve in the blind, particularly in terms of the electrical sensory and pain thresholds.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mee-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea ; Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Lim-Kyu
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Deok
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Sub
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Incheon Hyekwang School for the Blind, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Welfare, Wonkwang Health Science University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Honam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Taekwondo Instructor Education, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taek-Yong
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Welfare, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junghwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Electrical sensory threshold; Pain threshold; The blind