Variability of sensory threshold determination in clinical use

Thermal and vibratory thresholds after liposuction in patients with Dercum's disease

“…Sensory thresholds can also be altered by different uncontrollable variables, such as systolic blood pressure [13], age [14], and psychological factors [15], and by painful stimuli [16]. However, we made intra-individual comparisons and so such factors should have less influence.…”

Thermosensory threshold: a sensitive test of HIV associated peripheral neuropathy?

“…In order to minimise intersubject variability, all tests were performed by one investigator. The reported intra-subject variability for thermosensory tests in the literature depends on the methodology used, and can vary between 5% (Janel et al, 1985) and 150% (Fagius and Wahren, 1981). The CV of mean of our study range between 24 ± 33% for the foot, and 21 ± 24% for the forearm.…”

Directional sensibility for quantification of tactile dysfunction

“…Similar variations have been reported for other tests involving vibration, tactile stimuli, and thermal stimuli. 20 Ninetyfifth percentile values were calculated also from the results of the second examination of the oldest normal group. The use of these alternative values did not change the classification of patients as normal or abnormal.…”