Assessment of light touch sensation in the hands of systemic sclerosis patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Systemic sclerosis is a relatively rare connective tissue disorder characterized by severe and progressive fibrosis of the skin. Due to the current lack of available information on this subject, the aim of the present study was to assess light touch sensations in the hands of patients with systemic sclerosis.METHODS:We completed a cross-sectional comparative study. Light touch sensations were evaluated in 30 individuals, including 15 patients with systemic sclerosis who exhibited changes in the dermis of their hands without loss of the distal phalanx and 15 subjects who did not exhibit changes in the upper limbs (control group). The groups were age- and sex-matched. Tactile sensory evaluations were performed using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test and the two-point discrimination test.RESULTS:Statistically significant differences were found between groups in the monofilament test. The study group had lower scores across all points of the hand when compared with the control group. Differences were also found when dominant and non-dominant hands were compared (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between groups for a subset of the assessed points in the two-point discrimination test.CONCLUSIONS:The results of a monofilament test showed that tactile sensation, specifically light touch and deep pressure sensations, is altered in the hands of systemic sclerosis patients.

Two‐point discrimination and kinesthetic sense disorders in productive age individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome

“…Evaluation of discrimination sensation is widely used in clinical practice and research 13 , 26 , 27) . According to Shooter, 2PD sense is a widely used technique for determining tactile agnosia.…”

“…Tactile sensory examination is important because diminished sensation may increase the risk of skin injury and trauma. This is important both at work and in daily activities 13) . It is very likely that irregularities in the 2PD sense can indicate damage to both exteroceptive and pro-prioceptive function, which probably affects proper hand function.…”

“…It is also regarded as an integrative test because it requires a high degree of sensory processing. A number of perceptive resources are needed to identify the type of stimulus being presented during the 2PD test 13) . For example, the subject may be instructed to identify an object by handling it while blindfolded 13 , 14) .…”

“…This kind of sense is conducted via the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway to the central nervous system. 2 PD sense may be impaired by both damage to the medial lemniscus pathway and peripheral nerve damage 12 ) .T h e 2PD test is a functional test used to assess the quality of tactile sensibility 13 ) . It is also regarded as an integrative test because it requires a high degree of sensory processing.…”

Kinästhesie der Kraft und Bewegung und die taktile Diskrimination bei Patienten mit einer leichten Form des Karpaltunnelsyndroms

“…Deswegen ist die Bewertung der Nützlichkeit von diesen Tests in alltäglicher physiotherapeutischer Praxis notwendig. Die 2-punkt-Diskrimination wird oft in wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen verwendet [Eryilmaz et al, 2013, Meek, Coert 2013, Silva et al, 2014, auch in denen, die das KTS anbetreffen [Akalin et al, 2002, Bardak et al, 2009. Sie zeigt die Nervendichte der Haut (Berührungsrezeptoren) und die kortikale Repräsentation von Somatosensorik.…”