How to Test Tactile Location

Nerve injuries can decrease a person's tactile sensory perception, or ability to feel touch. There are several different types of tactile sensation. Threshold tests are used to assess a person's ability to detect pain, hot, cold and touch-pressure. The ability to determine location of touch requires a greater degree of perception and is assessed using a localization-of-touch test.

Things You'll Need

• Paperclip

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Instructions

• 1

  Bend the paperclip and expose the pointed end. If your patient is unable to feel an object as small as a paperclip, use your fingertip.

• 2

  Instruct the patient to close her eyes. If she is able to see the area you are touching, her perception of the touch will be increased, leading to an inaccurate assessment of localization of touch.

• 3

  Touch the area you are assessing with your fingertip or the end of the paperclip. If the patient is able to feel the touch, have her open her eyes and point to the exact area she felt the touch. If she is unable to point, you can ask her to verbally describe the area where she felt the touch. Repeat for all areas on her arms and/or legs where decreased sensation is suspected.

• 4

  Record the results of your assessment to use for comparison at a later date.