Prospective Study on Tactile Sensitivity in the Hands of a Brazilian Population Using the Pressure-specified Sensory Device

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pressure perception thresholds on the pulp of two fingers (index and little fingers), among a Brazilian population with no nerve injury or neuropathy. METHODS We used the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (a computerized device) to derive static and dynamic normal pressure perception thresholds and two-point discrimination distances. RESULTS We tested finger sensitivity on 30 volunteers. Significance analyses were performed using the Student t test. The mean values (g/mm(2)) for static one and two-point pressure thresholds (s1PD, s2PD) and dynamic one and two-point discrimination (m1PD, m2PD) in the dominant index finger were: s1PD = 0.4, m1PD = 0.4, s2PD = 0.48, m2PD = 0.51. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in sensitivity between the dominant and nondominant hands.