Evaluation of two point discrimination sense in the hand

Early recognition of nerve damage not only reduces treatment costs, but also increases recovery rates. To know the normal values of two point discrimination (2PD), part of the neurological diagnostic examination of hand nerve damage, will improve the diagnosis. The aim of this study is to determine the 2PD values on the palmar face of the hand in healthy individuals, examine the relationship between gender, side, body mass index and hand dominancy. A total of 200 healthy adult volunteers, 100 males and 100 females, participated in this study. By determining 17 regions on the palmar surface of the hand, 2PD values were determined, statistical analysis was performed. The smallest 2PD value was detected in the distal phalanx of the 2nd finger bilaterally. 11 regions of the left hands were more sensitive than the right hands, both when hand dominance was not taken into account in right handers. In left hander individuals, only 2 regions of the left hand were found to be sensitive from the right hand. It was determined that 4 regions of the right hands of women were more sensitive than those of men, and there was no gender difference in the left hand. There was a very weak positive correlation between 2PD values and BMI in 9 regions of the right hand and 10 regions of the left hand. There was a statistically significant difference in 4 regions in the right hand and in 3 regions in the left hand. In this study, it was observed that the most sensitive areas on the palmar face of the hand were the distal phalanges. We think that the data obtained in this study will contribute to the studies determining the normal values of 2PD. Keywords: Hand dominance, Two-point discrimination