Differences in two-point discrimination and sensory threshold in the blind between braille and text reading: a pilot study

作者：Noh Ji Woong; Park Byoung Sun; Kim Mee Young; Lee Lim Kyu; Yang Seung Min; Lee Won Deok; Shin Yong Sub; Kang Ji Hye; Kim Ju Hyun; Lee Jeong Uk; Kwak Taek Yong; Lee Tae Hyun; Kim Ju Young; Kim Junghwan

来源：Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2015, 27(6): 1919-1922.

DOI：10.1589/jpts.27.1919

• Electrical sensory threshold
• Pain threshold
• The blind

[Purpose] This study investigated two-point discrimination (TPD) and the electrical sensory threshold of the blind to define the effect of using Braille on the tactile and electrical senses. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight blind participants were divided equally into a text-reading and a Braille-reading group. We measured tactile sensory and electrical thresholds using the TPD method and a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator. [Results] The left palm TPD values were significantly different between the groups. The values of the electrical sensory threshold in the left hand, the electrical pain threshold in the left hand, and the electrical pain threshold in the right hand were significantly lower in the Braille group than in the text group. [Conclusion] These findings make it difficult to explain the difference in tactility between groups, excluding both palms. However, our data show that using Braille can enhance development of the sensory median nerve in the blind, particularly in terms of the electrical sensory and pain thresholds.

• 出版日期2015-6