The Computer-Assisted Quantitative Sensory Testing – Normative Data

Summary

Introduction:
Detection of thermal (TPT) and vibratory (VPT) perception thresholds using the computer-assisted quantitative sensory testing (QST) is currently one of the most important methods for diagnosing sensory neuropathies. The aim of the study was to establish valid, age-stratified normal limits for both the QST methods. 

Patients and methods:
Findings from 88 (TPT) or 74 (VPT) healthy individuals provided the basis for establishing age-stratified normal values in subgroups of patients aged 20–40, 40–60 and 60+ years. 

Results:
Slight but significant differences between men and women and highly significant age-related changes were found for all the TPTs and VPTs with lower cold thresholds and higher warm and vibratory thresholds in men and in older individuals. Using the method of limits, lower normal values for cold TPT were set at 26.3–25.5–22.8 °C for the respective age subgroups of men and 29.1–26.6–21.1 °C for the respective age subgroups of women. Similarly, upper normal limits for warm TPT were set at 40.8–44.9–46.2 °C, respectively, in men and 39.5–41.2–48.2 °C, respectively, in women, and at 6.0–12.5–50.3 μm, respectively, in men and 4.0–13.2–33.6 μm, respectively, in women for VPT. Threshold values also depend on the testing algorithm used, with slightly higher values in reaction time inclusive methods (Limits) compared to reaction time exclusive algorithms (Levels). 

Conclusions:
Cold and warm TPT as well as VPT display significant age-effect and less significant effect of gender on perception threshold values. The evaluation of the VPT and TPT findings in patients with sensory neuropathies should thus be performed using the age- and gender-adjusted normal values for particular testing algorithm. 

Key words:
sensory neuropathy – small fiber neuropathy – quantitative sensory testing – thermal perception threshold – vibratory perception threshold – normative values