Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is a psychophysical procedure in which the examiner applies test stimuli at defined intensities to a patient, who then reports his or her perceptions of the intensity and quality of the stimulus. Some examples of stimuli are: (Svensson et al, 2012)
Simple but reliable oral sensory testing devices have not yet been developed or validated. In an attempt to develop such devices, the following criteria should be fulfilled: (i) The force level, contact duration and application rate should be kept constant; (ii) any tapping, which might be caused by the tremor of the examiner's hand in hand‐held instruments, should be avoided. Basically, static von Frey or two‐point discrimination is not static at all if the threshold is obtained by hand‐held instruments and (iii) the experimental set‐up should avoid prolonged testing, leading to less attention of the experimental subjects. (Jacobs et al, 2002)
This table might help to document the findings:
| Type of Test | Fibers | Normal | Abnormal (Painful, radiating) |
| Static light touch (LT) – repeated stimulation with monofilaments | Aβ | ||
| Brush direction (B) | Aβ and Aα | ||
| Pin pressure (PIN) - Pinprick | C | ||
|
Two point sensory (2P) – aesthesiometer* or Wooden end of two cotton‐tipped Applicators. Start 1mm apart until subject feels 2. – Compare contralateral. |
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| Thermal (Warm) 50C - Thermal probe or disk (Neurologically affected sites have a reduced discrimination threshold which indicates that thermal test may help to grade neuropathy.) | C | ||
| Thermal (Cold) 15C – Stainless steel | Aδ |
Orofacial quantitative sensory testing (QST) is an increasingly valuable psychophysical tool for evaluating neurosensory disorders of the orofacial region. Orofacial QST may be helpful in revealing disease pathways and can be used for patient stratification to validate the use of neurosensory profile-specific treatment options. QST is reportedly reliable in longitudinal studies and is thus a candidate for measuring changes over time. (Van der Cruyssen et at, 2020)
Svensson P, Drangsholt M, Pfau DB, List T. Neurosensory testing of orofacial pain in the dental clinic. J Am Dent Assoc. 2012 Aug;143(8):e37-9. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2012.0301. PMID: 22855909; PMCID: PMC5696631.
Van der Cruyssen F, Van Tieghem L, Croonenborghs TM, Baad-Hansen L, Svensson P, Renton T, Jacobs R, Politis C, De Laat A. Orofacial quantitative sensory testing: Current evidence and future perspectives. Eur J Pain. 2020 Sep;24(8):1425-1439. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1611. Epub 2020 Jun 17. PMID: 32557971; PMCID: PMC7497080.