The ‘Ten Test’: Application and limitations in assessing sensory function in the paediatric hand

SummaryBackgroundThe 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsA 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).ConclusionsThe 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.