An instrument for measurement of thermal thresholds in man

Routine clinical electrophysiological techniques assess function in the large diameter, motor and sensory nerve fibres, but not in the smaller diameter fibres subserving pain, thermal sensation and autonomic function. The instrument we describe measures thermal sensation thresholds to both cooling a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biosensors 1987, Vol.3 (6), p.391-401
Main Authors: Hansen, S., Jamal, G.A., Weir, A.I., Ballantyne, J.P., Bissessar, E.Ann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biosensing Techniques
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Nerve Fibers - physiology
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated - physiology
Nervous system
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Sensory Thresholds
Skin Temperature
small nerve fibre function measurement
Thermal sensation threshold
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Routine clinical electrophysiological techniques assess function in the large diameter, motor and sensory nerve fibres, but not in the smaller diameter fibres subserving pain, thermal sensation and autonomic function. The instrument we describe measures thermal sensation thresholds to both cooling and warming thus providing an index of function in the small diameter thinly myelinated Aδ fibres and unmyelinated C fibres respectively. A commercial version, the Thermal Threshold Tester (TRIPLE T) provides a portable instrument for routine clinical use. It has a particularly important role in the sequential and quantitative monitoring of small nerve fibre function as for example in diabetic neuropathy. It can also be applied to the study of small nerve fibre function in persons exposed to potentially neurotoxic substances either as medication or in industry.
ISSN:0265-928X
DOI:10.1016/0265-928X(87)80020-2