The 'Ten Test': application and limitations in assessing sensory function in the paediatric hand

Abstract

Background: The Ten Test, first described in 1997 by Strauch et al., is a simple, rapid, reliable and sensitive method to evaluate hand sensibility in adults. In this study, we validated its use in children.

Methods: We asked patients to rate sensibility elicited by a light moving touch on the palmar surface of digits in reference to sensibility elicited by the same touch in a digit confirmed as normal.

Results: A total of 73 subjects (age range: 1-12 years) were tested. Patients under age 5 years were significantly less likely to complete the test. The kappa statistic for the Ten Test in nine subjects, each tested separately by two examiners, demonstrated very strong inter-observer reliability (kappa=1.0, p<0.003).

Conclusions: The Ten Test is a simple, validated, non-threatening method to evaluate hand sensibility in children and adolescents. We recommend its clinical use in patients age 5 years and older.