title: Two-point discrimination of the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's.
abstract: [Purpose] The present study attempted to measure two-point discrimination in the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's. [Subjects and Methods] Using a three-point esthesiometer, we conducted an experiment with a group of 256 college students (128 male and 128 female), attending N University in Chonan, Republic of Korea. [Results] Females showed two-point discrimination at a shorter distance than males at the following points: (i) 5 cm above the elbow joint, the middle part, and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the anterior upper arm; (ii) 5 cm above the elbow joint and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the posterior upper arm; (iii) 5 cm above the front of the wrist joint of the forearm; 5 cm below the elbow joint, the palmar part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the thumb, the dorsal part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle and little fingers. It was also found that females showed greater two-point discrimination than males in distal regions rather than proximal regions. [Conclusion] The findings of this study will help establish normal values for two-point discrimination of upper extremities of young Koreans in their 20's.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Pohang University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ja-Pung
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soon-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Dongnam Health University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Howon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ok-Gon
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Institute for Elderly Health and Welfare, Namseoul University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Semirae Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Dae
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Suwon Women's University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joo-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Ok
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Min
keywords: Tactile sensation; Two-point discrimination; Upper extremities