Terms to Know:
Sensibility: assessment and intervention for sensory deficits
Proprioception: knowing the position of your body/limbs in space when not moving
Kinesthesia: sense that detects weight and movement of the body; sensation of moving in space
Stereognosis: combination of proprioception and touch to identify objects in hand with vision occluded
Clients:
Stroke patients
Diabetic patients
Traumatic brain injuries
Peripheral nerve injuries
Any client with sensory deficits
Supplies Needed:
Assessment Form
Sensory Shield/Folder
Cotton Swabs
Toothpicks
Hot & Cold Tubes/Probes
Unsharpened Pencils
Stereognosis Kit
Pictures of Sensation Areas of the Upper Limb (optional)
Set Up:
Make sure testing is done in a well-lit and distraction-free environment
Client must have sense of cognitive involvement
How to Administer:
Start by explaining the assessment and procedure to your client [“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 and hands”]
Then explain the test stimulus and the expected response [“I’m going to be using this _______. When you feel it touch you, say ‘yes’”]
Before you begin to perform the test on the client, show them how it will take place by demonstrating it on yourself first [“I’m going to touch like this”]
Once you demonstrate on yourself, take the client's less involved side with visual input [“I’m going to touch you like this”]
Next, again test the client's less involved side with their visual occluded while stimulating random areas [“Now, I’m going to do the same thing but you can’t see when I touch you”]
Finally, test the client's more involved side with their vision occluded while stimulating random locations [“Now, I’m going to do the same thing on the other side”]
Light Touch with/without Localization - Cotton swabs or cotton balls
Deep Pressure - Pencil eraser
Sharp/Dull - Paper clip
Temperature - Hot and cold tubes/probes
Proprioception:
Hold lateral position of the upper extremity and move joint in flexion and extension
Ask patient to close eyes
Place upper extremity in either a flexion or extension position
Ask patient to identify if the upper extremity is in a flexed or extended position
Kinesthesia:
Hold the lateral portion of the upper extremity and move joint in flexion and extension
Ask patient to close eyes
While passively moving upper extremity in flexion or extension, ask patient to identify the movement
Stereognosis:
Place a common object in the client’s hand with vision occluded
Have client try to distinguish what the object is (should be something that is familiar to a person like coins, keys, paper clip, clothespin, etc.)
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