SENSORY RECEPTOR ASSESSMENT
Superficial Sensation Test Proprioception
★ Typically performed in a distal to proximal direction (for
Procedure Response
segmental pattern - cortical affectation).
★ Application of stimuli in a random, unpredictable Occlude pt’s vision. Grasp Ask the patient to indicate
manner with variation timing the digit (3rd or 4 th digit) by the position of joint (up,
Light Touch its side (finger tips to bony down, left or right)
Instrument: Camel-hair brush, cotton, prominences) Duplicate the position
tissue Move it slowly (10°/sec) up, using the other extremity
Test: down, left or right.
Area to be tested is lightly touched or The joint is held in a static
stroked position.
Response:
➤ Indicate that a stimulus is already felt Documentation
➤ yes or no
Intact Impaired
Pain Able to identify or copy Unable to identify or copy
movement movement
Instrument: Sharp-end of a large headed pin
Test: Note:
Hold the instrument lightly between the Identify the range of motion being assessed (for larger joints) initial
thumb and index finger to allow it to slip a range, mid-range, terminal range
little to apply uniform pressure. Repeat 3x
successively. Vibration
Response:
Procedure Response
➤ Ask the patient to identify location of stimulus
➤ Ask the patient to indicate whether the stimulus is: Use a tuning fork or Ask the patient it they feel
➤ sharp or dull portable Ultrasound. the vibration
Temperature Using manual vibration
Instrument: 2 test tubes with hot or
cold water
Combined Cortical Sensation Tests
Test:
Stereognosis
Apply the metal shaft over the
Examines the ability to recognize objects through touch
skin first followed by the finger.
without the aid of vision.
Randomly alternate the finger and
Instruments:
tuning fork.
Items of different shapes and sizes; small, easily
Response:
obtainable and culturally familiar objects
➤ Ask the patient to indicate that a stimulus is:
Procedure:
➤ warm, cold, unable to tell
● Start with a normal area
Pressure
to establish
Instrument: None
communication
Test:
● Occlude pt’s vision
Apply a firm pressure to indent skin
● Pt manipulates object
surface and stimulate deep receptors
and is asked to identify
Response:
the object
➤ Ask the patient to indicate that a
Graphesthesia
stimulus is already felt:
Recognition of letters,
➤ yes or no
numbers, and designs traced on
Deep Sensation Tests
the skin without the aid of vision.
★ Start from the distal joints then move proximally if there
Instrument:
is noted impairment.
Eraser end of a pencil, any
★ Support the extremity being tested with one hand
blunt object
★ Explain and demonstrate the procedure
Procedure:
Kinesthesia
Series or combination of
Procedure Response letters, numbers or shapes is
traced on the palm of the pt’s hand
Occlude pt’s vision. Ask the pt to indicate the Response:
Grasp the digit (3rd or 4 th direction of motion (up, Pt is asked to identify verbally the figures drawn
digit) by its side (bony down, left, right) on the skin or pt can select from a series of line
prominences) Duplicate the drawings.
Move it slowly (5°/sec) up, motion using the other Tactile Localization
down, left and right extremity Examines the ability to localize
Simultaneously asking the touch sensation
direction of motion. Procedure:
● Start with a normal area
Documentation
to establish
Superficial Sensation Test Proprioception
★ Typically performed in a distal to proximal direction (for
Procedure Response
segmental pattern - cortical affectation).
★ Application of stimuli in a random, unpredictable Occlude pt’s vision. Grasp Ask the patient to indicate
manner with variation timing the digit (3rd or 4 th digit) by the position of joint (up,
Light Touch its side (finger tips to bony down, left or right)
Instrument: Camel-hair brush, cotton, prominences) Duplicate the position
tissue Move it slowly (10°/sec) up, using the other extremity
Test: down, left or right.
Area to be tested is lightly touched or The joint is held in a static
stroked position.
Response:
➤ Indicate that a stimulus is already felt Documentation
➤ yes or no
Intact Impaired
Pain Able to identify or copy Unable to identify or copy
movement movement
Instrument: Sharp-end of a large headed pin
Test: Note:
Hold the instrument lightly between the Identify the range of motion being assessed (for larger joints) initial
thumb and index finger to allow it to slip a range, mid-range, terminal range
little to apply uniform pressure. Repeat 3x
successively. Vibration
Response:
Procedure Response
➤ Ask the patient to identify location of stimulus
➤ Ask the patient to indicate whether the stimulus is: Use a tuning fork or Ask the patient it they feel
➤ sharp or dull portable Ultrasound. the vibration
Temperature Using manual vibration
Instrument: 2 test tubes with hot or
cold water
Combined Cortical Sensation Tests
Test:
Stereognosis
Apply the metal shaft over the
Examines the ability to recognize objects through touch
skin first followed by the finger.
without the aid of vision.
Randomly alternate the finger and
Instruments:
tuning fork.
Items of different shapes and sizes; small, easily
Response:
obtainable and culturally familiar objects
➤ Ask the patient to indicate that a stimulus is:
Procedure:
➤ warm, cold, unable to tell
● Start with a normal area
Pressure
to establish
Instrument: None
communication
Test:
● Occlude pt’s vision
Apply a firm pressure to indent skin
● Pt manipulates object
surface and stimulate deep receptors
and is asked to identify
Response:
the object
➤ Ask the patient to indicate that a
Graphesthesia
stimulus is already felt:
Recognition of letters,
➤ yes or no
numbers, and designs traced on
Deep Sensation Tests
the skin without the aid of vision.
★ Start from the distal joints then move proximally if there
Instrument:
is noted impairment.
Eraser end of a pencil, any
★ Support the extremity being tested with one hand
blunt object
★ Explain and demonstrate the procedure
Procedure:
Kinesthesia
Series or combination of
Procedure Response letters, numbers or shapes is
traced on the palm of the pt’s hand
Occlude pt’s vision. Ask the pt to indicate the Response:
Grasp the digit (3rd or 4 th direction of motion (up, Pt is asked to identify verbally the figures drawn
digit) by its side (bony down, left, right) on the skin or pt can select from a series of line
prominences) Duplicate the drawings.
Move it slowly (5°/sec) up, motion using the other Tactile Localization
down, left and right extremity Examines the ability to localize
Simultaneously asking the touch sensation
direction of motion. Procedure:
● Start with a normal area
Documentation
to establish
