• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.13-23
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to investigate two-point discrimination(TPD) and related factors in rural community residents. Methods: The sample consisted of 68 people who have been living in rural community in June 2005 studied. TPD was measured from the tips of the thumb, index, middle, ring, and little finger of each hand with the TPD esthesiometer. The research was designed to be a cross-sectional measured study. SAS statistical software was used for the analysis. The characteristics of the study sample were described by mean and standard deviation(SD) for continuous variables and by frequency and percentage for categorical variables. The Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare TPD in gender and diabetes mellitus. A Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted for relationship among values of 5 fingers. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with TPD. Results: A total of 68 residents were measured, their average $age{\pm}SD$ was $54.2{\pm}23.2$ years(range: $12{\sim}88\;yr$). The mean TPD for 5 fingers tips in dominated side was 4.76mm(thumb 3.98mm, index 4.22mm, middle 4.79mm, ring 5.17mm, and little finger 5.65mm, respectively). 4.91mm for thumb finger of women was significantly higher than 3.54mm that of men's in difference between gender(p=.01l4), also women(4.39mm) was higher than men(3.71mm) in median nerver area(p=.0318). There was a statistically significant difference in age(p=.0022), which were under age of 20(3.36mm), 30 years(3.61mm), 40 years(5.38mm), 50 years(4.84mm), 60 years(5.28mm), 70 years(5.18mm), and over age of 80(5.29mm). Factors related to TPD of fiver fingers by multiple regressions were gender(${\beta}=.03$, p=.0001). Conclusions: Taken together, gender and age were significantly associated with TPD. We recommend that further research should measure TPD by using larger sample sizes and more sensitive measurement instruments.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.167-183
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• 2000

In this paper, we propose two kinds of chaos dimensions, the fuzzy correlation and fuzzy Lyapunov dimensions, for speaker recognition. The proposal is based on the point that chaos enables us to analyze the non-linear information contained in individual's speech signal and to obtain superior discrimination capability. We confirm that the proposed fuzzy chaos dimensions play an important role in enhancing speaker recognition ratio, by absorbing the variations of the reference and test pattern attractors. In order to evaluate the proposed fuzzy chaos dimensions, we suggest speaker recognition using the proposed dimensions. In other words, we investigate the validity of the speaker recognition parameters, by estimating the recognition error according to the discrimination error of an individual speaker from the reference pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.332-338
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of postural control and locomotion on improvement of two point discrimination (TPD), stereognosis (ST) through somatosensory training (SST) on the upper limb (UL). Methods: The subjects were 20 hemiplegia patients who have problems with unilateral neglect after stroke. The patients were divided into two groups, the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). In the EG, SST for TPD, ST was performed 18 times, three times a week for six weeks, together with physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT). In the CG conventional PT and OT without SST was performed for six weeks. Several assessment tools were used in comparison of groups; two point discrimination test (TPDT) on forearm (F), thenar (T), hypothenar (TH), thumb tip (TH-T), index finger tip (IN-T), stereognosis test (ST), postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and clinical test of sensory interaction on balance (CTSIB) and timed up and go test (TUG). Results: In the CG, conventional PT and OT resulted in statistically improved TPDT (F), ST, PASS, and TUG. In the EG, SST resulted in statistically improved TPDT (F, T, HT, TH-T, IN-T), ST, PASS, and TUG. TPDT-T, ST, and CTSIB with length of displacement with eye open (LDEO) also showed significant improvement between the groups. Conclusion: In both groups TPDT ST, PASS and TUG, and SST had effects on the UL and TPDT, ST and static postural control had greater effects compared with the PG. Therefore, we could assume that TPD and ST are very important in performing human activities including postural control and locomotion.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2005

Purpose: To report the results and the efficacy of the sensory bearing scapular free flap which is known as non-sensible flap. Materials and Methods: Authors underwent 24 cases of sensory bearing scapular free flap to the hands and feet from March 1995 to November 2002. average follow-up period was six year three months. The used flaps were a ordinary scapular flap in fifteen cases, and a parascapular flap in nine. Sensibility of the flaps were checked every one month. Actual sensory evaluation was mostly depends on objective feeling of the patients. Two point discrimination test was performed in all cases. Results: 23 flaps had good skin circulation after microvascular anastomosis among 24. Objective deep touch sensation were observed about three months later after the operation in three cases, between three and six months in nine. In three case whose results were excellent than others, two point discrimination was 2.7 cm at last follow-up. Most of the sensory recovery is confined in deep touch, temperature and light touch sensation was recovered limitedly in 3 cases during our follow-up period. Conclusion: Authors can propose that sensory bearing free scapular flap was considered as one of useful methods for the reconstruction to hand with soft tissue defect and mutilating hand.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) on improving the hand function in hemiplegic side. Methods: Ten subjects without a control group were given CIMT to the hemiplegic side for 3 weeks. The effects of their hand function and sensibility were examined using a MAL and two point discrimination test. Repeated ANOVA was carried out for an analysis of the effects of the application of CIMT before and after treatment. Results: The participants showed significant improvement in their functional aspect with CIMT while there were no significant changes in the time domain variables. There was significant improvement in the quantitative and qualitative aspect of MAL, as well as significant improvement in the two-point discrimination function in all fingers. Conclusion: CIMT can enhance the motor function and sensory function of the hand in hemiplegic patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.527-532
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• 2008

Purpose: Transverse type or volar oblique type of defect of thumb tip can be covered by Moberg flap or second toe pulp free flap. We compared these two methods in functional result, patients' satisfaction, and sensation, etc. to find a better way to cover the defect of the thumb tip. Methods: From 2003 to 2006, we chose the patients randomly with preoperative pictures. The patients had the defect of the thumb tip which is either transverse or volar oblique type. The 6 patients were treated with Moberg flap and other 6 patients were treated with second toe pulp free flap. We have analyzed the results by 2 point discrimination, side pinching power test, pulp to pulp pinching power test, pain scales (visual analogue scale), satisfaction scales of the patients (functional and aesthetic), the degree of the range of motion, etc. Results: All flaps survived without any complications. In the cases of Moberg flaps, the value of static 2 point discrimination test was 5.6 mm, and the value of moving 2 point discrimination test was 4.8 mm. In the cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 9.6 mm and 9.3 mm. In the cases of Moberg flaps, the value of the Side pinch power test was 6.6 kg, 4.4 kg. In the case of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 4.8 kg and 2.5 kg. The value of aesthetic satisfaction scale of the patients in Moberg flaps was 5.6, the value of functional satisfaction scale of the patients was 3.6. In cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 5.6 and 3.6. The active range of motion of Interphalangeal joint in the cases of Moberg flaps was 46.6 degree, and the active range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint was 55 degree, in the cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 36.6 degree and 59 degree. Conclusion: As a result, when the defect of the thumb tip is transverse or volar oblique type, we suggest that the operators choose Moberg flap to cover the defect of the thumb tip.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.250-257
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• 2001

Sensory dysfunction following the injury of the inferior alveolar nerve requires objective examination to get a reproducible data and to provide necessary treatment. This study was designed to evaluate if the SEP(somatosensory evoked potentials) of the mental nerve can be used as an objective method for the diagnosis of nerve injury and sensory disturbances. The subjects were nineteen patients ($37.4{\pm}11.3$ years old) who had been suffered from sensory disturbance of the unilateral lower lip and mental region for over 6 months after the inferior alveolar nerve injuries confirmed by the microsurgical explorations. The clinical neurosensory tests as SLTD(static light touch discrimination), MDD(moving direction discrimination), 2PD(two point discrimination), PPN(pin prick nociception) and accompanied pain were preceded to electro-physiologic examinations as SEP. The score of sensory dysfunction (sum score of all sensory tests) ranged from 0 to 8 were compared to the latency differences of the mental nerve SEPs. The correlation between clinical sensory scores and SEPs were tested by Spearman nonparametric rank correlation analysis, the differences in SEP latency by Kruskal-Wallis test and the latency differences according to PPN and accompanied pain by Mann-Whitney U test. This study resulted that the difference of the latencies between normal side and affected side was $2.22{\pm}2.46$ msec and correlated significantly with the neurosensory dysfunction scores (p=0.0001). Conclusively, the somatosensory evoked potentials of the mental nerve can be a useful diagnostic method to evaluate the inferior alveolar nerve injuries and the change of sensory dysfunction to be reproduced as an objective assessment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.675-679
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• 2008

Purpose: In the orbital floor fracture, sensory impairment due to the damage of the infraorbital nerve is one of the most common symptom and complication. In this report, we have the assumption that tailoring of $medpor^{(R)}$ for decompression may have correlations to the damage and regeneration of the nerve. Methods: Among patients who had open reduction for pure orbital floor fracture in our hospital from March 2005 to March 2008, we selected 80 cases. In 40 cases, we inserted tailored $medpor^{(R)}$, and in other 40 cases, non-tailored $medpor^{(R)}$ was inserted. Patient's reports were obtained and analyzed, and the pin-prick test and the 2-point discrimination test on the infraorbital nerve regions were done for testing the sensory impairments. Results: The results show that the patients who adopted sculpture of $medpor^{(R)}$ showed higher tendency of recovery of sensory impairments in the patient's subjective report, static touch sensation, static two point discrimination using. And in postoperative 3 months, there are statistically significant recovery of sensory symptoms, signs and the result of sensory tests. Conclusion: From these results, tailored $medpor^{(R)}$ in reconstruction of orbital wall fracture may improve recovery of sensory impairments for decreasing of compression of infraorbital nerve.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2009

Purpose：The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of $\alpha$-wave music and art appreciation on hand function in stroke with hemiplegia. Methods：A total of 32 stroke with hemiplegia participated in this study experimental group(16 subjects) received $\alpha$-wave music and art appreciation with general neurologic therapy. Control group(16 subjects) received general neurologic therapy. All subjects were assessed for hand function(manual dexterity, power grip, pinch grip, two point discrimination(parm, finger), tactile sense(parm, finger) using a purdue pegboard, dynamometer, pinch gauge, two-point anethesiometer and semmes-weinstein monofilament wire. The data were analyzed using paired and independent t-test. Results：The results were as follows : 1. In the experimental group, manual dexterity were significantly increased between pre and post intervention(p<.05). 2. In the experimental group, tactile sesne in finger were sifnificantly increased between pre and post intervention(p<.05). Conclusion：The results of this study shows that $\alpha$-wave music and art appreciation affect the hand function of hemiplegic side with regard to manual dexterity and tactile sense.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.61.1-61.8
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• 2019

Background: The prognosis of recovery following microneurosurgery for injured lingual nerves varies among individual cases. This study aimed to investigate if recovery ratios of sensory and taste functions are improved by the microneurosurgery within 6 months after lingual nerve injury. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 70 patients who underwent microneurosurgery at the Wakayama Medical University Hospital for lingual nerve injuries between July 2004 and December 2016. Sensory and taste functions in lingual nerves were preoperatively evaluated using a static two-point discrimination test, an intact superficial pain/tactile sensation test, and a taste discrimination test. They were evaluated again at 12 and at 24 months postoperatively. The abundance ratio of Schwann cells in the excised traumatic neuromas was analyzed with ImageJ software following immunohistochemistry with anti S-100β antibody. Results: In early cases (microneurosurgery within 6 months after the injury), recovery ratios of sensory and taste functions were not significantly different at 24 months after microneurosurgery compared with later cases (microneurosurgery more than 6 months after the injury). Meanwhile, the ratio of patients with taste recovery within 12 months after microneurosurgery was significantly decreased in late cases compared with early cases. The abundance ratio of Schwann cells in traumatic neuroma was also significantly lower in later cases. Conclusion: Microneurosurgery more than 6 months after lingual nerve injury did not lead to decreased recovery ratio of sensory and taste functions, but it did lead to prolonged recovery of taste. This delay may be associated with a decrease in the abundance ratio of Schwann cells in traumatic neuromas.