Detection of skin temperature differences using palpation by manual physical therapists and lay individuals |
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| Authors: | David Levine J Randy Walker Denis J Marcellin-Little Ron Goulet Hongyu Ru |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA;2. Department of Veterinary Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA;3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA;4. Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA |
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| Abstract: | Objectives—To evaluate the accuracy of detection of temperature differences among skin sites of lay individuals and manual physical therapists.Methods— Forty-four manual physical therapists and 44 lay individuals were recruited. Subjects palpated two temperature-controlled surfaces that ranged in temperature between 30 and 35 °C and varied randomly by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 °C for 10 s. The subjects were then asked to identify the warmer pad.Results— Accuracy increased with larger temperature differences. Accuracy of detection of 1 and 3 °C temperature differences was higher in manual physical therapists than lay individuals.Discussion— Palpation can be used to accurately detecting temperature differences between sites and is more accurately performed by an experienced practitioner. Level of Evidence: 3b |
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| Keywords: | Skin temperature palpation manual therapy physical therapist |
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