Manual Tactile Test Predicts Sensorimotor Control Capability of Hands for Patients with Peripheral Nerve Injury

Publication date: Available online 30 January 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Hsiu-Yun Hsu, Shyh-Jou Shieh, Ta-Shen Kuan, Hsiu-Ching Yang, Fong-Chin Su, Haw-Yen Chiu, Li-Chieh Kuo
ObjectiveTo comprehend the merits of a Manual Tactile Test (MTT) in assessing hand sensorimotor functions, this study explores the relationships among three subtests along with the precision pinch performances for patients with peripheral nerve injuries (PNI). In addition, to understand the accuracy of the MTT, this study also constructs the sensitivity and specificity of this test for PNI patients.DesignCase-control studies.SettingHospital and local community.ParticipantsTwenty-eight PNI patients were recruited, along with age-, gender-, and handedness-matched healthy controls.InterventionNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM), moving and static two-point discrimination (2PD), roughness differentiation, stereognosis and barognosis subtests of the MTT, as well as precision pinch performance, were used to examine the sensory and sensorimotor status of the hand.ResultsThe worst results in all sensibility tests were found for the PNI patients (p<0.001) in comparison with the controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed the MTT was a better indicator for predicting the sensorimotor capacity of the hands in the PNI patients (r²=0.189, p=0.003) than the traditional test (r²=0.088, p=0.051). The results of receiver operating characteristic curve estimation show that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.968 and 0.959 for the roughness differentiation and stereognosis subtests, respectively, and was 0.853 for the barognosis subtest, thus revealing the accuracy of the MTT in assessing sensorimotor status for PNI patients.ConclusionsThis study indicates that the MTT is highly accurate and a significant predictor of sensorimotor performance in the hands of PNI patients. The MTT could thus help clinicians obtain a better understanding of the sensorimotor and functional status of the hand with nerve injuries.



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