Article

Objective: To explore the viability of the perceptual threshold test using
electrical stimulation to measure light touch sensation in the hands of stroke
survivors. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: University research laboratory.
Subjects: Twenty-nine adult community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors. Main
measure(s): Perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation, stroke
rehabilitation assessment of movement, Nottingham sensory assessment for
stereognosis, action research arm test, Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensation and
motor activity log 14. Results: Perceptual threshold test using electrical
stimulation mean threshold values were 1.23 (0.6) milliamperes (range 0.5-3.5)
for the uninvolved side and 1.68 (0.91) milliamperes (range 0.5-4.5) for the
involved side. The perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation
demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation
coefficient = 0.896 - uninvolved; 0.829 - involved). There was a statistically
significant difference between the perceptual threshold test using electrical
stimulation mean threshold values for the uninvolved and involved arms (P =
0.003), but this significance did not hold for subjects who had normal sensation
as measured by the Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensation (P = 0.083). Low to
nonexistent correlations were found between the perceptual threshold test using
electrical stimulation and other measures of sensation, arm movement, activity
and participation. Conclusions: The perceptual threshold test using electrical
stimulation is a reliable and clinically feasible test with the potential to
identify sensory capacity in stroke survivors with substantial sensory loss.
Electrical sensory thresholds do not reflect overall sensory function or motor
capabilities in stroke survivors.

Langue : ANGLAIS