Hand Sensation: What is Normal?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Normal sensory perception levels in working adults
IRAS ID
161564
Contact name
Tim Davis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Innovation Nottingham Health Science Partners
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Knowledge of normal sensation in the hand is important for the diagnosis of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. This condition affects manual workers who use hand-held vibrating machinery (disc cutters, chain saws, whacker plates, jigger picks) regularly and is caused by vibration damage to the nerves of the hand. Normal values for sensory tests such as "2 point discrimination" and "fine touch sensation" have been described but these are usually based on assessment of sensation on normal fit adults or an undefined group of people. Manual workers frequently have thickened skin in their fingers which may reduce sensation, and hand sensation has been reported to reduce progressively after the age of 20. This study will assess sensation in the hands of office workers and manual workers who do not use vibrating tools regularly, in order to determine normal levels of sensation in both groups of people. The aims are to assess a) the influence of age on hand sensation; b) whether manual workers have similar sensation to office workers and c) whether the reported normal values for hand sensation are correct for manual workers.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1248
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion