• Hsiu-Yun Hsu, Li-Chieh Kuo, Ta-Shen Kuan, Hsiu-Ching Yang, Fong-Chin Su, Haw-Yen Chiu, and Shyh-Jou Shieh.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
• J Hand Ther. 2017 Jan 1; 30 (1): 65-73.

Study DesignCase-controlled cohort study.IntroductionSensory function is difficult to observe during nerve regeneration processes. Traditional sensory tests are limited to identifying the level of functioning hand sensation for sensory stimulus is given passively to the cutaneous surface of the hand.Purpose Of The StudyTo examine the outcome changes in the manual tactile test (MTT), Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) and 2-point discrimination (2PD) tests for patients with nerve repair and to investigate the concurrent validity of MTT by comparing it with the results of traditional tests.MethodsFifteen patients with nerve injury of the upper limbs were recruited, along with 15 matched healthy controls. The MTT, SWM, and 2PD tests were used to examine the sensory status of the subjects.ResultsThree subtests (barognosis, roughness differentiation, and stereognosis) in MTT showed that the patients improved with time. A moderate and mild correlation was found between the MTT and 2PD results and between the barognosis and SWM results.ConclusionsThe MTT provides practical and functional perspectives on detecting nerve progression during the courses of degeneration and regeneration.Level Of EvidenceIV.Copyright © 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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