How to Elicit a Sensory Exam

A sensory examination is a medical assessment that evaluates your nerves, brain and spinal cord. Sensations are applied to various areas of your body that elicit a reaction along your nerve endings. This reaction travels to your brain and spinal cord, known as your central nervous system. A normal reaction allows your brain to know the origin of the sensations, while your eyes are closed. When a sensation does not elicit a normal reaction, your doctor is able to determine where your sensory deficit occurs and which nerves are abnormal. Although assessment techniques vary, there are five common sensory responses doctors elicit.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp pin
• Small brush
• Pen or coin

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Instructions

• 1

  Feel your doctor use a pin and small brush to elicit pain and light sensation responses. While lying on your back with your eyes closed, your doctor will touch 13 specific areas of your body. Each sensation will alternate between using the pin and the brush. Your doctor will start on your face and work downward to your feet. Your doctor will also alternate between the left and right sides. You will be asked if you feel the sensations and to rate the intensity of them.

• 2

  Close your eyes while your doctor tests your ability to sense the position of your body parts. Your doctor will move your great toe and your fingers upwards and downwards. Your doctor will hold your toe and fingers on their sides and will ask you to state the position of your digit each time he moves it. This elicits the sensory response of position awareness, also called proprioception.

• 3

  Keep your eyes closed while your doctor tests your ability to identify the shape of an object. Your doctor will place a common object such as a pen or a coin in your hand. You will be asked to identify the object, while keeping your eyes closed. A different object will then be placed in your other hand for identification. This elicits a sensory response of identification called stereognosia.

• 4

  Feel your doctor draw a letter or number in the palm of your hand. With your eyes closed, you will be asked to identify the figure, based on feeling the tracing. Your doctor will use a different figure in each palm. This elicits a sensory response of identification called graphesthesia.