Tactile Thresholds Research Articles

Volumetric abnormalities of the brain in a rat model of recurrent headache.

Voxel-based morphometry is used to detect structural brain changes in patients with migraine. However, the relevance of migraine and structural changes is not clear. This study investigated structural brain abnormalities based on voxel-based morphometry using a rat model of recurrent headache. The rat model was established by infusing an inflammatory soup through supradural catheters in conscious male rats. Rats were subgrouped according to the frequency and duration of the inflammatory soup infusion. Tactile sensory testing was conducted prior to infusion of the inflammatory soup or saline. The periorbital tactile thresholds in the high-frequency inflammatory soup stimulation group declined persistently from day 5. Increased white matter volume was observed in the rats three weeks after inflammatory soup stimulation, brainstem in the in the low-frequency inflammatory soup-infusion group and cortex in the high-frequency inflammatory soup-infusion group. After six weeks’ stimulation, rats showed gray matter volume changes. The brain structural abnormalities recovered after the stimulation was stopped in the low-frequency inflammatory soup-infused rats and persisted even after the high-frequency inflammatory soup stimulus stopped. The changes of voxel-based morphometry in migraineurs may be the result of recurrent headache. Cognition, memory, and learning may play an important role in the chronification of migraines. Reducing migraine attacks has the promise of preventing chronicity of migraine.

버튼의 크기·높이·간격에 대한 시각·촉각 차이역 연구

버튼의 크기·높이·간격에 대한 시각·촉각 차이역 연구

Chemically Designed Metallic/Insulating Hybrid Nanostructures with Silver Nanocrystals for Highly Sensitive Wearable Pressure Sensors.

With the increase in interest in wearable tactile pressure sensors for e-skin, researches to make nanostructures to achieve high sensitivity have been actively conducted. However, limitations such as complex fabrication processes using expensive equipment still exist. Herein, simple lithography-free techniques to develop pyramid-like metal/insulator hybrid nanostructures utilizing nanocrystals (NCs) are demonstrated. Ligand-exchanged and unexchanged silver NC thin films are used as metallic and insulating components, respectively. The interfaces of each NC layer are chemically engineered to create discontinuous insulating layers, i.e., spacers for improved sensitivity, and eventually to realize fully solution-processed pressure sensors. Device performance analysis with structural, chemical, and electronic characterization and conductive atomic force microscopy study reveals that hybrid nanostructure based pressure sensor shows an enhanced sensitivity of higher than 500 kPa-1, reliability, and low power consumption with a wide range of pressure sensing. Nano-/micro-hierarchical structures are also designed by combining hybrid nanostructures with conventional microstructures, exhibiting further enhanced sensing range and achieving a record sensitivity of 2.72 × 104 kPa-1. Finally, all-solution-processed pressure sensor arrays with high pixel density, capable of detecting delicate signals with high spatial selectivity much better than the human tactile threshold, are introduced.

Soft palate functional reconstruction with buccinator myomucosal island flaps

Oropharyngeal reconstruction after ablative surgery is a challenge. The results of a retrospective study of 17 patients who underwent total or sub-total soft palate reconstruction with a buccinator myomucosal island flap, between 2008 and 2016, are reported herein. An analysis of flap type and size, harvesting time, and postoperative complications was performed. Patients underwent standardized tests to assess the recovery of sensitivity, deglutition, quality of life (QoL), and donor site morbidity, at >6 months after surgery or the end of adjuvant therapy, if performed. All flaps were transposed successfully. Only minor donor and recipient site complications occurred. The sensitivity assessment showed that touch, two-point discrimination, and pain sensations were recovered in all patients. Significant differences between the flap and native mucosa were reported for tactile (P=0.004), pain (P=0.001), and two-point discrimination (P=0.001) thresholds. The average deglutition score reported was 6.1/7, with only minimal complaints regarding deglutition. The QoL assessment showed high physical (24.6/28), social (25/28), emotional (19.1/24), and functional (24.6/28) scores. No major donor site complications were noted in any patient; the average donor site morbidity score was 8.1/9. Buccinator myomucosal island flaps represent a valuable functional oropharyngeal option for reconstruction, requiring a short operating time and presenting a low donor site morbidity rate.

85. Digital acuity measured by “the bumps” device correlates with degeneration of digital mechanoreceptors in peripheral neuropathies

“The bumps” is a sensitive test to quantify tactile threshold of fingerpads. We tested its ability to detect distal axonal degeneration in peripheral neuropathies. The bumps device is a checkerboard-like surface divided into squares. Each square includes 5 colored circles, one of which contains a round bump (height range 2.5–14 μm) to identify using the fingerpad. For each subject, we defined the height of the lowest bump such that it and the next 2 highest were detected. Functional data were compared to the density of Meissner corpuscles (MC) in fingertip skin biopsies processed and quantified according to standard procedures. Study population included 86 subjects (M/F = 51/35; age = 52.3 ± 15.1) affected by peripheral neuropathy and 15 subjects (M/F = 9/6; age = 50.4 ± 13.9) affected by CNS pathology as control group. Average threshold in the neuropathy group was 7.0 ± 4.4 μm, average MC density was 9.3 ± 7.3/mm2. Average threshold in the CNS pathology group was 7.4 ± 5.1 μm and average density of MC was 10.5 ± 6.8/mm2. Digital acuity threshold correlated with the density of Meissner corpuscles in the neuropathy group (r = 0.353; p < 0.01), but not in the CNS pathology group (r = 0.048; p = 0.865). The Bumps is a sensitive and easy-to-use tool, suitable to detect degeneration of sensory endings in peripheral neuropathies.

Evaluation of Oral Stereognosis in Relation to Tactile Ability and Patient Satisfaction.

We investigated the oral stereognostic ability (OSA) of dentate individuals, conventional complete denture patients, and maxillary implant-supported denture patients with bar attachments. Stereognosis tests were carried out, and the relationship between OSA and patient satisfaction was assessed with a satisfaction survey: the Turkish version of the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-TR-14). To compare differences in oral sensory function among individuals with natural dentition, complete denture wearers, and maxillary implant-supported denture wearers, tactile awareness (thickness perception threshold) and pressure awareness (threshold of lateral loading) were assessed. According to the results, the oral perception level of natural dentate patients was higher than that of the complete denture group and maxillary implant-supported complete denture group at the end of the study. There was no statistically significant difference in OHIP-TR-14 scores between the maxillary implant-supported complete denture group and the complete denture group ( P < .05). The control group perceived the applied lateral and vertical forces statistically earlier than the other groups ( P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference between the complete denture and maxillary implant-supported denture groups in terms of the lateral pressure threshold or thickness tactile threshold ( P > .05). At the end of the study it was concluded that there was no correlation between oral perception levels and satisfaction in patients with complete dentures and patients with maxillary implant-supported complete dentures. The control group, compared with the complete denture and maxillary implant-supported complete denture groups, perceived the lateral and vertical forces statistically earlier than the other groups.

Safe Tissue Manipulation in Retinal Microsurgery via Motorized Instruments with Force Sensing.

Retinal microsurgery involves careful manipulation of delicate tissues by applying very small amount of forces most of which lie below the tactile sensory threshold of the surgeons. Membrane peeling is a common task in this domain, where application of excessive peeling forces can easily lead to serious complications, hence needs to be avoided. To quantify tool-tissue interaction forces during retinal microsurgery, various force-sensing tools were developed based on fiber Bragg grating sensors, yet the most beneficial way of using the acquired force information is currently unknown. In this study, using a motorized force-sensing micro-forceps tool, we develop an assistive method that enhances safety during membrane peeling by automatically opening the forceps and releasing the tissue based on the detected peeling forces. Through peeling experiments using bandages, we demonstrate that our method can effectively maintain the peeling force at a safe level even in case of non-homogeneous adhesion properties of the membrane.

The influence of vision on tactile Hebbian learning

NMDA-dependent Hebbian learning drives neuronal plasticity in different cortical areas, and across species. In the primary somatosensory cortex (S-I), Hebbian learning is induced via the persistent low-rate afferent stimulation of a small area of skin. In particular, plasticity is induced in superficial cortical layers II/III of the S-I cortex that represents the stimulated area of skin. Here, we used the model system of NMDA-dependent Hebbian learning to investigate the influence of non-afferent (visual) input on Hebbian plasticity in S-I. We induced Hebbian learning in 48 participants by applying 3 hours of tactile coactivation to the right index fingertip via small loudspeaker membranes. During coactivation, different groups viewed either touches to individual fingers, which is known to activate S-I receptive fields, touches to an object, which should not activate S-I receptive fields, or no touch at all. Our results show that coactivation significantly lowers tactile spatial discrimination thresholds at the stimulated finger post- versus pre-training across groups. However, we did not find evidence for a significant modulatory effect of visual condition on tactile spatial discrimination performance. This suggests that non-afferent (visual) signals do not interact with Hebbian learning in superficial cortical layers of S-I, but may integrate into deeper cortical layers instead.

Loss of cutaneous large and small fibers in naive and l-dopa-treated PD patients.

To study small and large fiber pathology in drug-naive and l-dopa-treated patients affected by Parkinson disease (PD) in early phases, before the occurrence of neuropathic electrophysiologic abnormalities. We enrolled 85 patients with idiopathic PD (male/female 49/36, age 61.3 ± 9.7 years) without electrophysiologic signs of neuropathy, including 48 participants naive to l-dopa treatment. All patients underwent clinical, functional, and morphologic assessment of sensory and autonomic nerves through dedicated questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing, sympathetic skin response, dynamic sweat test, and punch biopsies from glabrous and hairy skin. Sensory and autonomic innervation was visualized with specific antibodies and analyzed by confocal microscopy. Data were compared with those obtained from sex- and age-comparable healthy controls. In 35 patients, skin biopsies were performed bilaterally to evaluate side-to-side differences. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density was lower in patients compared to controls in all the examined sites (p < 0.001). The loss was higher in the more affected side (p < 0.01). A loss of autonomic nerves to vessels, sweat glands, and arrector pili muscles and of Meissner corpuscles and their myelinated endings in glabrous skin was found (p < 0.001). Patients showed increased tactile and thermal thresholds, impairment of mechanical pain perception, and reduced sweat output (p < 0.001). The naive and l-dopa-treated groups differed only for Meissner corpuscle density (p < 0.001). Both large and small fiber pathology occurs in the early stages of PD and may account for the sensory and autonomic impairment. l-Dopa affects the 2 populations of fibers differently.

Periodontal tactile sensation and occlusal loading condition of autotransplanted teeth: A retrospective pilot study

PurposeThe objectives of this retrospective pilot study were: (1) to examine the occlusal properties (periodontal tactile sensation, occlusal force support ability, dynamic tooth mobility, occlusal force, contact area, preferred chewing side and main occluding area) of autotransplanted teeth with no clinical complications after transplantation (postoperative periods from 1 to 7 years). MethodsThree groups were formed from 20 subjects (23 teeth in each group): autotransplanted teeth (ATP group), teeth contralateral to the recipient site (control group A), and teeth contralateral to the donor site (control group B). ResultsThe tactile detection threshold of the ATP group was higher than both the control groups, and the individual occlusal force was significantly lower than control group A. The occlusal force ratio and the occlusal contact area ratio were significantly lower in the ATP group than in both control groups, while the mobility was similar in all groups. Eight out of 20 subjects chose the autotransplanted teeth side as the preferred chewing side. Especially when the recipient site was the first molar, the ATP of these subjects were included in the main occluding area. The pocket depth of the three groups was within the normal range. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that teeth autotransplantation can achieve a mastication efficiency and periodontal condition similar to normal teeth; however, without proper healing, the periodontal sensation of autotransplanted teeth may be inferior to that of normal teeth (<250).

Clinical study to monitor dentinal hypersensitivity with episodic use of a desensitising dentifrice

Objectives/Aims:To evaluate continuous and episodic twice-daily usage regimens of a desensitising dentifrice containing 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS).Materials and Methods:In this exploratory, single-centre, randomised, examiner-blind study, subjects with dentinal hypersensitivity were randomised to continuous (24 weeks) use of a 5% CSPS-containing dentifrice or episodic use of the dentifrice comprising two 8-week treatment periods separated by 8 weeks′ use of a standard fluoride dentifrice. Sensitivity was assessed by tactile threshold (Yeaple probe) and evaporative (air) sensitivity (Schiff sensitivity score). Other measures included labelled magnitude scales to assess subjects′ responses to the evaporative stimulus, the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire and a tooth sensitivity question.Results:Seventy-six subjects were randomised to continuous (n=38) or episodic (n=38) use. Small but statistically significant improvements from baseline in Schiff sensitivity scores were observed at weeks 8, 16 and 24 with both regimens (all P<0.05). Increases from baseline in tactile threshold were not statistically significant. No significant between-regimen difference was observed for any endpoint. No treatment-related adverse events were reported.Discussion:Dentifrice containing 5% CSPS improved dentinal hypersensitivity with both episodic and continuous twice-daily usage regimens over 24 weeks and was well tolerated.Conclusion:No performance differences were observed between the two usage regimens.

A randomised exploratory clinical evaluation of dentifrices used as controls in dentinal hypersensitivity studies

ObjectivesTo explore relative efficacy of six negative-control dentifrices utilised as controls in clinical studies compared with two dentine hypersensitivity (DH)-relief dentifrices used 2×/day for 8 weeks. MethodsSix control dentifrices differing in terms of fluoride source (sodium fluoride/sodium monofluorophosphate), abrasive base (silica/dicalcium phosphate), relative dentine abrasivity (RDA) (∼17 to ∼180) and colour (white/blue/multicoloured stripes) were compared with a depolarising dentifrice (5% KNO3; RDA ∼70–97; ‘Test 1’) and an occlusion-technology dentifrice (0.454% SnF2; RDA ∼160–180; ‘Test 2’). DH was assessed using tactile and evaporative (air) (measured by Schiff Sensitivity Scale and a visual rating scale [VRS]) stimuli. ResultsIn total 249 subjects were randomized. All dentifrices yielded statistically significant improvements from baseline on all endpoints. The two DH-relief dentifrices ranked highest in terms of improvement in scores over the control dentifrices. While there was a clear differentiation between Test 1 and control dentifrices on both measures at 4/8 weeks, for Test 2, statistically significant improvements in Schiff scores were observed over all controls at Week 4 but only over three at Week 8. At Week 4 none of the controls separated from Test 2 on tactile threshold; all separated by Week 8. VRS scores did not separate test and control dentifrices. Dentifrices were generally well-tolerated. ConclusionsThe six negative-control dentifrices can be used to assess dentifrices considered to be effective in reducing DH. Although response ranges for commercially available negative controls varied, these results may begin to set acceptable performance ranges for control dentifrices in DH trials.

Lingual tactile sensitivity: effect of age group, sex, and fungiform papillae density.

Despite its contribution to food perception, lingual tactile sensitivity has been understudied. We hypothesized that sensitivity to threshold and suprathreshold tactile stimuli varies in the population and sought to determine proximate sources of variability. Forty-eight adults were tested for lingual threshold sensitivity via a modified letter identification task and suprathreshold sensitivity via estimation of stimulus size using magnitude estimation. In addition, taste bud density on the anterior tip of each panelist's tongue was estimated by counting the number of fungiform papillae in a 0.317cm2 circumscribed area. Lingual tactile thresholds were significantly impacted by age group as subjects 40years or older had higher thresholds than those in their 20s. Moreover, threshold sensitivity increased with increasing fungiform papillae count. Suprathreshold estimates of size were not affected by age group, sex, or fungiform papillae count.

Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Advanced Osteoarthritis Pain in Rats.

Exercise is commonly recommended for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) pain. However, whether exercise is beneficial in ameliorating ongoing pain that is persistent, resistant to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and associated with advanced OA is unknown. Rats treated with intraarticular (IA) monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) or saline underwent treadmill exercise or remained sedentary starting 10 days postinjection. Tactile sensory thresholds and weight bearing were assessed, followed by radiography at weekly intervals. After 4 weeks of exercise, ongoing pain was assessed using conditioned place preference (CPP) to IA or rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM)-administered lidocaine. The possible role of endogenous opioids in exercise-induced pain relief was examined by systemic administration of naloxone. Knee joints were collected for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis to examine pathologic changes to subchondral bone and metaphysis of the tibia. Treadmill exercise for 4 weeks reversed MIA-induced tactile hypersensitivity and weight asymmetry. Both IA and RVM lidocaine D35, administered post-MIA, induced CPP in sedentary but not exercised MIA-treated rats, indicating that exercise blocks MIA-induced ongoing pain. Naloxone reestablished weight asymmetry in MIA-treated rats undergoing exercise and induced conditioned place aversion, indicating that exercise-induced pain relief is dependent on endogenous opioids. Exercise did not alter radiographic evidence of OA. However, micro-CT analysis indicated that exercise did not block lateral subchondral bone loss or trabecular bone loss in the metaphysis, but did block MIA-induced medial bone loss. These findings support the conclusion that exercise induces pain relief in advanced, NSAID-resistant OA, likely through increased endogenous opioid signaling. In addition, treadmill exercise blocked MIA-induced bone loss in this model, indicating a potential bone-stabilizing effect of exercise on the OA joint.

Do patients with chronic neck pain have distorted body image and tactile dysfunction?

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare perceived neck image and tactile acuity between individuals with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain.Materials and methods: Perceived neck image was assessed in seven participants with chronic idiopathic neck pain and seven asymptomatic participants through participants’ drawings. Tactile perception threshold (TPT) and two-point discrimination threshold (TPD) were also assessed using Semmes–Weinstein filaments and a mechanical calliper, respectively.Results: Participants with neck pain tended to draw their neck/shoulders less symmetrically, shorter or larger than asymptomatic participants. Despite an increased overall mean for TPD in the neck pain group, no statistically significant differences were found between groups for tactile acuity (TPD: neck pain = 21.29 ± 14.21 mm, asymptomatic = 16.43 ± 16.84 mm, p > .05; TPD: neck pain = 0.17 ± 0.08 g, asymptomatic = 0.23 ± 0.17 g, p > .05).Conclusions: The results suggest that patients with idiopathic neck pain might have a distorted image of their neck. These findings need to be further investigated in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Assessment of texture discrimination ability at the sole of the foot in subjects with chronic stroke compared with young and elderly subjects with no neurological deficits: a reliability and validity study

Purpose: To examine validity and test–retest reliability of a sensory test developed to evaluate ability of elderly subjects with/out a stroke to discriminate between textures with the sole of their foot.Methods: Subjects poststroke, old adults and young subjects were tested twice. Twelve materials relevant to foot function (e.g., gravel, sand) were used. Blindfolded subjects were requested to discriminate with the sole of each foot one outstanding texture among three textures presented in each of 12 subtests. ANOVA, ICC and Bland–Altman tests were used to determine group/leg differences and test-retest reliability.Results: Discrimination ability of the involved lower extremity poststroke is significantly reduced. Ability in individuals with no neurological impairment is age related. Good test–retest (ICC = 0.81) reliability was demonstrated for the impaired foot of subjects poststroke. The 95% repeatability ranges were age related with the highest range demonstrated for the involved foot poststroke. A significant fair negative correlation was demonstrated between texture discrimination ability and tactile detection threshold measured by Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments for the involved foot in poststroke subjects.Conclusion: This newly developed assessment tool demonstrates concurrent and known-groups validity and is reliable for determining texture discriminative ability of the foot in individuals post-stroke and in older adults with no neurological impairment.Implications for rehabilitationThe texture discrimination test presented here is a valid and reliable tool, providing quantitative assessment of sensory function at the sole of the foot in older adults with no neurologic deficits and in subjects poststroke.Lower extremity texture discrimination test is easy to administer in the clinic and might suggest directions for individually tailored, lower extremity, sensory retraining protocols.

Oral sensory dysfunction following radiotherapy.

To assess differences in oral tactile sensation between subjects who have undergone radiation therapy (XRT) compared to healthy controls. Cross-sectional cohort comparison. Thirty-four subjects with a history of XRT were compared with 23 healthy controls. There was no difference in age (P = .23), but there were slightly more males in the XRT cohort (P = .03). The mean (standard deviation) time after XRT completion was 3.84 (4.84) years. Fifty-six percent of the XRT cohort received chemotherapy. Using our previously validated methodology to measure oral tactile sensory threshold quantitatively with Cheung-Bearelly monofilaments, sensory thresholds of four subsites (anterior tongue, buccal mucosa, posterior tongue, soft palate) were compared for the two cohorts. Site-by-site comparisons showed higher forces were required for stimulus detection at all four subsites among subjects in the XRT cohort compared to healthy controls. Mean force in grams for XRT versus control cohorts were: anterior tongue, 0.39 (1.0) versus 0.02 (0.01); buccal mucosa, 0.42 (0.95) versus 0.06 (0.05); posterior tongue, 0.76 (1.46) versus 0.10 (0.07); and soft palate, 0.86 (1.47) versus 0.08 (0.05) (P < .001 for all comparisons). Combining all four subsites into a single metric to assess an overall level of oral tactile dysfunction, the XRT cohort had reduced sensation by 18.7 dB (P < .001). After radiation therapy, the oral cavity and oropharynx exhibit global tactile sensory dysfunction, manifested by increased tactile forces required for stimulus detection. The magnitude of sensory impairment is 18.7 dB. 3b. Laryngoscope, 127:2282-2286, 2017.

Correlation Between Lower And Higher Order Sensory Functions And Fine And Gross Motor Function In Dominant And Non-Dominant Hand Of Patients With Choronic Stroke

Introduction: To investigate the correlation between lower and higher order sensory functions and manual dexterity as well as Identify factors affecting upper extremity motor function(UEMF) in subjects with chronic stroke.Methods: In this correlational study, seventy chronic stroke subjects (48 male and 22 female) by mean age of 56.94 (±12.92) years and mean time after stroke of 3.01 (±2.64) years were selected by simple nonprobability method. Lower order sensory function (i.e., light touch threshold), higher order sensory functions (i.e., tactile acuity, weight and texture discrimination, haptic performance and wrist proprioception) were measured by Weinstein enhanced sensory test, two point discrimination, wrist position sense test, hand active sensation test and haptic object test, respectively. The gross and fine manual dexterity were measured by Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Block Test(BBT) and Purdue Pegboard (PPB) test. The step by step regression model was used to investigate the sensory determinants of motor function.Results: A weak to high significant correlation (r =0.25 to 0.80) was found between sensory predictors and motor outcomes. The regression models explained 19.8%, 30.3% and 52.3% of variancein motor function measures of the PPB, BBT and WMFT, respectively. The tactile threshold (p&lt;0.001) was the most relevant predictor in all stepwise models for all motor outcomes in dominant or non-dominant hand , followed by tactile acuity, haptic performance and wrist proprioception (p&lt; 0.05). The weight and texture discrimination was not included in any outcome models. Conclusion: The results of present study showed that tactile threshold as lowr order sensory function is the most relevant predictor for UEMF in stroke. The results reinforce that rehabilitation interventions focused on tactile threshold may be best able to impact UEMF in stroke subjects.

Correlation Between Lower And Higher Order Sensory Functions And Fine And Gross Motor Function In Dominant And Non-Dominant Hand Of Patients With Choronic Stroke

Introduction: To investigate the correlation between lower and higher order sensory functions and manual dexterity as well as Identify factors affecting upper extremity motor function(UEMF) in subjects with chronic stroke.Methods: In this correlational study, seventy chronic stroke subjects (48 male and 22 female) by mean age of 56.94 (±12.92) years and mean time after stroke of 3.01 (±2.64) years were selected by simple nonprobability method. Lower order sensory function (i.e., light touch threshold), higher order sensory functions (i.e., tactile acuity, weight and texture discrimination, haptic performance and wrist proprioception) were measured by Weinstein enhanced sensory test, two point discrimination, wrist position sense test, hand active sensation test and haptic object test, respectively. The gross and fine manual dexterity were measured by Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Block Test(BBT) and Purdue Pegboard (PPB) test. The step by step regression model was used to investigate the sensory determinants of motor function.Results: A weak to high significant correlation (r =0.25 to 0.80) was found between sensory predictors and motor outcomes. The regression models explained 19.8%, 30.3% and 52.3% of variancein motor function measures of the PPB, BBT and WMFT, respectively. The tactile threshold (p&lt;0.001) was the most relevant predictor in all stepwise models for all motor outcomes in dominant or non-dominant hand , followed by tactile acuity, haptic performance and wrist proprioception (p&lt; 0.05). The weight and texture discrimination was not included in any outcome models.Conclusion: The results of present study showed that tactile threshold as lowr order sensory function is the most relevant predictor for UEMF in stroke. The results reinforce that rehabilitation interventions focused on tactile threshold may be best able to impact UEMF in stroke subjects.

Exploratory randomised controlled clinical study to evaluate the comparative efficacy of two occluding toothpastes – a 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate toothpaste and an 8% arginine/calcium carbonate toothpaste – for the longer-term relief of dentine hypersensitivity

ObjectiveTo compare the longer-term clinical efficacy of two occlusion-technology toothpastes — a 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS) toothpaste and a commercially available 8% arginine/calcium carbonate toothpaste — in relieving dentine hypersensitivity (DH). Efficacy was also compared with that of a regular fluoride toothpaste control. MethodsThis was an exploratory, randomised, examiner-blind, parallel-group, 11-week, controlled study in healthy adults with self-reported and clinically diagnosed DH. After an acclimatisation period, subjects were randomised to one of three study treatments with which they brushed their teeth twice daily. Sensitivity was assessed at baseline and after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11 weeks treatment in response to evaporative (air) and tactile stimuli (measured by the Schiff Sensitivity Scale/visual analogue scale and tactile threshold, respectively). ResultsA total of 135 subjects were randomised to treatment. The two occlusion-technology toothpastes performed similarly over the 11-week treatment period. All study treatments showed statistically significant reductions from baseline in DH at all timepoints for all measures (p<0.05). Statistically significant and clinically relevant sensitivity relief was observed for both occluding formulations compared with the regular fluoride toothpaste: for evaporative (air) sensitivity within 1 week and for tactile sensitivity at Week 11. No significant differences were detected between the two occluding formulations at any timepoint, for any endpoint. Study treatments were generally well tolerated. ConclusionsIn this exploratory study, a 5% CSPS occluding toothpaste was effective in relieving DH compared with a regular fluoride toothpaste; an 8% arginine/calcium carbonate anti-sensitivity toothpaste provided similar benefits. Improvements in DH continued throughout the 11-week study. Clinical significanceDentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a common and painful condition. Twice-daily use of a 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate toothpaste reduces DH within 1–2 weeks of initiating use. Ongoing, twice daily use of the sensitivity toothpastes evaluated in this study was associated with continued, clinically significant improvements in DH.