The Journal of burn care & rehabilitation
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Nov 1991
Quantitative threshold changes in cutaneous sensation of patients with burns.
Decreased cutaneous sensation is common after burn injury. This study was designed to quantitate threshold sensory loss with the use of a microcomputer-based sensory testing device that generated precisely controlled stimuli. Threshold evaluations of two-point discrimination, pinprick, warming, touch, and vibration were performed on patients with burns (n = 16) and on control subjects (n = 42). ⋯ When controls for age were applied, touch and vibration thresholds remained significantly elevated above control levels, and decreases in significance for two-point discrimination and warming were noted. It was concluded that sensory function is reduced in patients with burns. Alternative mechanisms that may have caused the sensory changes were discussed.