Sharp/Dull Touch Assessment:
1) Explain the test purpose & procedures
Say: “Sometimes, a ___ injury can affect how a person feels things. I’d like to check how you are feeling things by touching you on your arms & hands”
2) Explain the stimulus & what response is expected.
Say: “I’m going to be using this paper clip. When you feel it, say ‘sharp or dull’”
3) Demonstrate test on yourself first.
“I’m going to touch you like this (touch your own arm with the rounded end of the paper clip). This is dull. I’m also going to touch you like this (touch your own arm with the pointed end of the paper clip). This is sharp”
4) Demonstrate on client’s LESS affected side – WITH visual input.
Say: “I’m going to touch you like this”
5) Test less affected side with vision OCCLUDED.
Randomly touch the client's arm and hand while alternating between sharp & dull ends of the paper clip.
Say: “Now, I’m going to do the same thing but you can’t see when I touch you”
6) Test affected side with vision OCCLUDED.
Randomly touch the client's arm and hand while alternating between sharp & dull ends of the paper clip.
Say: “Now, I’m going to do the same thing on the other side”
7) Document results as either: INTACT, ABSENT or IMPAIRED.
Say: “Sometimes, a ___ injury can affect how a person feels things. I’d like to check how you are feeling things by touching you on your arms & hands”
2) Explain the stimulus & what response is expected.
Say: “I’m going to be using this paper clip. When you feel it, say ‘sharp or dull’”
3) Demonstrate test on yourself first.
“I’m going to touch you like this (touch your own arm with the rounded end of the paper clip). This is dull. I’m also going to touch you like this (touch your own arm with the pointed end of the paper clip). This is sharp”
4) Demonstrate on client’s LESS affected side – WITH visual input.
Say: “I’m going to touch you like this”
5) Test less affected side with vision OCCLUDED.
Randomly touch the client's arm and hand while alternating between sharp & dull ends of the paper clip.
Say: “Now, I’m going to do the same thing but you can’t see when I touch you”
6) Test affected side with vision OCCLUDED.
Randomly touch the client's arm and hand while alternating between sharp & dull ends of the paper clip.
Say: “Now, I’m going to do the same thing on the other side”
7) Document results as either: INTACT, ABSENT or IMPAIRED.