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QST has
become a valuable method to diagnose different diseases affecting the
peripheral nervous system, including Diabetes, Leprosy and HIV. In QST, the
thresholds of the senses of temperature, touch, pressure, vibration and pain
are determined with adequate physical stimulation of the human skin. As the
stimulation activates stimuli-specific receptors; nerve
fibres that innervate the receptors forward the message of the stimuli to the
central nervous system, where a percept may be created.
To improve
on the diagnostic power, a combination of QST instruments can be used, giving
the possibility for a differential diagnosis of results from the investigation
of different sensory modalities and body locations. This
motivating the supply of different instruments that can be used standalone, or
in combinations, chosen to target a specific medical question.
In
occupational health, QST is also frequently used to monitor and stage the neurotoxic effects of occupational exposure to various
chemical agents and vibration. In pharmacology, numerous studies have been
performed where the positive effects on the nervous system, as well as possible
negative side effects of new drugs have been monitored with QST.
The
equipment used in a large percentage of these studies, as well as in large
amounts of normal clinical work, has been supplied by SOMEDIC Sales AB; that
develop, manufacture, market and provide after sales support for sensory
testing instruments.
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