Hand sensibility measures used by therapists

Sensory evaluations are frequently used to assess patients with functional loss resulting from nerve injury. The results of these tests are routinely utilized by hand surgeons as an indication for conservative management or surgical intervention in the evaluation of surgical outcome and in the determination of disability ratings. Reports in the literature regarding specific tests for sensibility show variation in their application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which testa are used to evaluate hand sensibility and the techniques of application currently used by hand therapists. Two hundred members of the American Society of Hand Therapists were randomly selected and a survey was sent to these members. The results of this study identity the need to develop standardized protocols for sensory evaluations and the need for therapists to follow the standardized methods for administration of moving and static two-point discrimination, and Semmes- Weinstein monofilaments, it comparisons of results between centers are to be meaningful.