What question did this study set out to answer?

To establish normative warm and cold perception thresholds across four body sites and evaluate the influence of stimulus change rate, probe surface area, and baseline skin temperature.

September 1, 1999Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology

Quantitative Thermal Perception Testing in Adults

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Why the study?

How do stimulus change rate, thermode size, and skin temperature affect thermal perception thresholds in adults?

Population

225 adults aged 18 to 80 years

Comparison

Quantitative thermal perception testing using… vs Different stimulus change rates and thermode sizes

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

MHMax J. HilzBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center BSBrigitte StemperFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg FAFelicia B. AxelrodNew York University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Thermal thresholds vary by rate and probe size; supports standardization but leaves optimal protocols open pending prospective data.

Key Points

To establish normative warm and cold perception thresholds across four body sites and evaluate the influence of stimulus change rate, probe surface area, and baseline skin temperature.
Assessed warm and cold perception thresholds in 225 adults (aged 18–80 years) at the volar distal forearm, thenar eminence, lower medial calf, and lateral dorsal foot using the method of limits and a 32 °C baseline temperature.
Tested stimulus change rates of 1 °C/s versus 3 °C/s at the thenar eminence, and evaluated spatial summation using two probe sizes (1.5 × 2.5 cm and 2.5 × 5.0 cm) at the calf and forearm.
Analyzed the reproducibility across five consecutive stimuli and correlated perception thresholds with pretest skin temperature at all tested sites.
Thermal perception thresholds demonstrated high measurement reproducibility, with higher thresholds observed under the 3 °C/s stimulus rate compared to the 1 °C/s rate.
Thresholds were lower when evaluated with the larger 2.5 × 5.0 cm thermode than with the 1.5 × 2.5 cm probe due to spatial summation.
Pretest skin temperature exhibited only minimal influence on thermal thresholds, indicating that artificial pre-warming of the tested area is not required.

Structured PICO

How do stimulus change rate, thermode size, and skin temperature affect thermal perception thresholds in adults?

Population

225 adults aged 18 to 80 years

Intervention

Quantitative thermal perception testing using the method of limits and a Thermotest (Somedic, Stockholm, Sweden)

Comparator

Different stimulus change rates (1 degrees C/s vs 3 degrees C/s) and thermode sizes (1.5-cm x 2.5-cm vs 2.5-cm x 5.0-cm)

Outcome

Normative warm and cold perception thresholdssurrogate

A 32 degrees C baseline temperature and a 1 degree C/s stimulus change rate are recommended for quantitative thermal perception testing, with large probes used where possible.

Cite This Study

Hilz et al. (1999) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1ef57816ec2d13766b587c https://doi.org/10.1097/00004691-199909000-00008

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Quantitative Thermal Perception Testing in Adults

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Quantitative Thermal Perception Testing in Adults

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

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