Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of detection of temperature differences among skin sites of lay individuals and manual physical therapists. METHODS: Forty-four manual physical therapists and 44 lay individuals were recruited. Subjects palpated two temperature-controlled surfaces that ranged in temperature between 30 and 35 °C and varied randomly by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 °C for 10 s. The subjects were then asked to identify the warmer pad. RESULTS: Accuracy increased with larger temperature differences. Accuracy of detection of 1 and 3 °C temperature differences was higher in manual physical therapists than lay individuals. DISCUSSION: Palpation can be used to accurately detecting temperature differences between sites and is more accurately performed by an experienced practitioner. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.