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. 1985 Apr;48(4):354–360. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.48.4.354

An improved automated method for the measurement of thermal thresholds. 1. Normal subjects.

G A Jamal, S Hansen, A I Weir, J P Ballantyne
PMCID: PMC1028301  PMID: 3998741

Abstract

Clinical tests of thermal sensation are poorly quantified and not strictly modality specific. Previous automated thermal testing systems have had limited usefulness with high intra-and inter-individual variability. This paper describes an automated thermal system (Glasgow system) which is an extensive modification of previous techniques to answer these criticisms. It comprises a microprocessor-driven Peltier element and utilises the forced choice method of psychophysical analysis to determine the thresholds to thermal stimulation. In a control group of 106 healthy subjects the mean heat threshold for the wrist was found to be 0.23 degree C (SD = 0.06 degree C) and the mean cold threshold 0.15 degree C (SD = 0.05 degree C). Repeated determinations showed a maximum of 5% intra-individual variation in comparison to previously reported values of up to 150%.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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