Light Touch

Light touch testing without Localization

1. Explain the test procedure and purpose to the client:

Hello Matilda, sometimes after an injury patients experience loss of sensation. What I would like to do today is to test your ability to feel things by touching your arms and hands.

2. Explain the stimulus and expected reactions

Matilda, I am going to use this cotton swab to touch your arm and hand. When you feel the touch I would like you to say “yes” as a confirmation.

3. Demonstrate test on self first

Matilda, I am going to touch your arm just like this (as she sees on my arm).

4. Demonstrate on client’s less involved hand first with no visual occlusion

Matilda, I am going to touch you arm like this.

5. Test less involved side with vision occluded.

Matilda, I am going to test your sensation in this arm as I did earlier but I will have your vision blocked.

6. Test more involved side with vision occluded.

Matilda, I am going to test the other arm with your vision blocked.

[Document results as Intact or Impaired with x out of y correct ( x=numbers of times the client identified the sensation when touched; y= number of locations practitioner tested)]

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Light touch testing with localization

1. Explain the test procedure and purpose to the client:

Hello Matilda, sometimes after an injury patients experience loss of sensation. What I would like to do today is to test your ability to feel things by touching your arms and hands.

2. Explain the stimulus and expected reactions

Matilda, I am going to use this cotton swab to touch your arm and hand. When you feel the touch I would like you to confirm the area.

3. Demonstrate test on self first

Matilda, I am going to touch your arm just like this (as she sees on my arm).

4. Demonstrate on client’s less involved hand first with no visual occlusion.

Matilda, I am going to touch you arm like this.

5. Test less involved side with vision occluded.

Matilda, I am going to test your sensation in this arm as I did earlier but I will have your vision blocked.

6. Test more involved side with vision occluded.

Matilda, I am going to test the other arm with your vision blocked.

[Document results as Intact or Impaired with x out of y correct ( x=numbers of times the client identified the sensation when touched; y= number of locations practitioner tested)]