Table 4.
| Name of test | Description | Structure assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanoceptive | ||
| Static light touch detection | Patient is asked to tell when he/she feels light touch on the face and to point to the exact location | Myelinated afferent A-beta axons |
| Brush directional discrimination | Patient is asked to tell when he/she feels the brush and to determine the direction of movement |
Large A-alpha and A-beta myelinated axons |
| Two-point discrimination (sharp) | Patient is asked to determine single and 2 points of touch. The examiner uses any 2 sharp instruments by which the patient can change the distance between them | Small myelinated A-delta and unmyelinated C-afferent fibres |
| Two-point discrimination (blunt) | Patient is asked to determine single and 2 points of touch. The examiner uses any 2 blunt instruments by which the patient can change the distance between them | Larger myelinated A-alpha afferent fibres |
| Nociceptive | ||
| Pin pressure nociception | Patient is asked to determine the feeling of a pin prick | Free nerve endings and the small A-delta and C-fibres |
| Thermal discrimination (warm) | Patient is asked if he/she feels heat | A-delta fibres |
| Thermal discrimination (cold) | Patient is asked if he/she feels cold | C-fibres |