Abstract
Two point discrimination (TPD) is used to distinguish the two point discriminative sense. TPD is most commonly used as neurosensory tests in clinical settings. In tactile sensation, the sensory receptors from the skin reach the somatosensory system and stimulate mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, pain receptors, and proprioceptors to give the response to the respective stimuli. The present study was aim to assess the value of tactiles sensation by two point discrimination test among 18 years people. 18 years old people among the normal population were selected, consisting of 17 males and 33 females. 6 sensory areas were selected for the test. Test performed on six regions of the body like fingertips, fingers, palm, forehead, forearm, back of palm. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed by independent t test. The ability to distinguish the two point discrimination was estimated in millimeters by using a simple hand operated device. The main findings of the study are that females were more sensitive than males in TPD perception.TPD perception was more among 18 years old. The TPD values are more in females when compared to males. The normative values of two point discrimination among 18 years people were established. This study concluded that fingertips in females were more sensitive than other parts of the body.
Highlights
In tactile sensation, the sensory receptors from the skin reach the somatosensory system and stimulate mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, pain receptors, and proprioceptors to give the response to the respective stimuli [1]
There was no significance between males and females in normative values of two point discrimination test
The present study showed that age factor has a significant effect on the Two point discrimination (TPD) values
Summary
The sensory receptors from the skin reach the somatosensory system and stimulate mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, pain receptors, and proprioceptors to give the response to the respective stimuli [1]. Two point discrimination tests assess if the person is able to identify two close points on small area of skin. It is a measure of tactile agnosia. The part of the body with the highest density of touch receptors are fingertips and lips It shows greatest degree of two point discrimination [2]. Tactile sensory functions to mechanoreceptors in humans [10] So, in humans it is hard to differentiate tactile stimuli [9] It is often tested with two sharp points during a neurological examination and is assumed to reflect how finely innervated an area of skin [11]. The test is still commonly used clinically, it has been roundly criticized by many researchers as providing an invalid measure of tactile spatial acuity, and several highly regarded alternative tests have been proposed to replace it [12]
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