DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i01.004

Pages: 15-19

Abstract: Two-point discrimination threshold test is a widely employed method of evaluating tactile acuity. It is valuable for assessing injuries to nerves supplying the hands and outcome of surgical manipulations. Availability of normative values for comparison is imperative for objective interpretation of two-point discrimination threshold tests. This study aims to determine the normative values of two-point discrimination thresholds in the thumbs of adult male Nigerians. In the methods, two-point discrimination tests were conducted, using a pair of blunt dividers and a meter rule, on the palmar surface of the distal portion of the thumb in the dominant hands of 146 healthy adult male Nigerians drawn from a university community. Participants were screened by conducting simple test of fine touch with a wisp of cotton wool; to exclude those with impaired results. In results, one hundred and forty six participants aged 18 to 55 years completed the study. The overall mean two point discrimination threshold distance was 3.2 ± 0.93 mm. The mean two point discrimination threshold values for the age groups 18 to 25 years, 26 to 35 years, 36 to 45 years and 46 to 55 years were 2.5 ± 0.5mm, 2.8 ± 0.7mm, 3.8 ± 0.6mm and 3.9 ± 0.9mm, respectively (p < .001). In conclusion the mean two-point discrimination value obtained in our study, for the subjects aged 18 to 25 years is comparable to the normative value reported for a similar age group in other regions. Our study demonstrated increasing values of two-point discrimination threshold with increasing age.