Tactile and Pain Sensory Thresholds and Hand Grip Strength

Comparison of Tactile and Pain Sensory Thresholds and Hand Grip Strength in Children Diagnosed With Specific Learning Disorder With Impairment in Written Expression and Healthy Controls

The aim of this study was to compare fingertip tactile sensation, hand and finger grip strength, and hand pain thresholds in children diagnosed with specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression and healthy controls.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Pain; Sensation Diminished, Pinprick; Specific Learning Disorder, With Impairment in Written Expression
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Treatment outcome

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 66

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Alper Mengi, MD; Phone Number: +90 537 651 03 85; Email: dralpmengi@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Edirne, Turkey (Türkiye), 22030
    • Recruiting
    • Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital
    • Contact: Alper Mengi, MD; Phone Number: +90 5537 651 03 85; Email: dralpmengi@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include 33 children diagnosed with specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression and 33 healty control children.

Description

Inclusion Criteria for specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression:

• Diagnosis of specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• Age between 6 and 12 years
• Clinically normal intellectual functioning
• Voluntary agreement to participate in the study
• Absence of any systemic disease
• Right-hand dominance

Inclusion Criteria for control:

• Age between 6 and 12 years
• Clinically normal intellectual functioning
• Willingness to participate in the study on a voluntary basis
• Absence of any systemic disease
• Right-hand dominance

Exclusion Criteria for specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression:

• Presence of verbal or visual communication problems
• History of perinatal complications or physical head trauma
• Presence of psychiatric disorders other than specific learning disorder according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• History of known chronic physical or neurological disease (such as cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, liver failure, or kidney failure)
• Presence of substance or alcohol use disorder
• Diagnosis of a genetic disorder
• Previous surgery involving the hand region
• Presence of infection and/or sensory deficit in the hand region

Exclusion Criteria for control:

• Presence of any psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• Presence of verbal or visual communication problems
• History of perinatal complications or physical head trauma
• History of known chronic physical or neurological disease (such as cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, liver failure, or kidney failure)
• Presence of substance or alcohol use disorder
• Diagnosis of a genetic disorder
• Previous surgery involving the hand region
• Presence of infection and/or sensory deficit in the hand region

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression; The children diagnosed with specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria	Other: Treatment outcome; The participants' fingertip light touch and pain sensory thresholds, as well as hand and fingertip pinch strength, will be evaluated.
Control; The healthy children with no known medical condition	Other: Treatment outcome; The participants' fingertip light touch and pain sensory thresholds, as well as hand and fingertip pinch strength, will be evaluated.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fingertip light touch	The participants' light touch sensory thresholds will be assessed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, which consist of calibrated synthetic monofilaments that differ in thickness and the amount of pressure applied. Measurements will be taken from the midpoint of the distal phalanx on the palmar surface of the first, second, and third fingers of the right hand. The test will be performed with the participants' eyes closed; starting with the smallest monofilament, contact will be applied to the test area and progressively larger monofilaments will be used. The test will be terminated when the participant first perceives the touch, and the corresponding value will be recorded.	Baseline
Hand grip strength	Hand grip strength will be assessed using a Jamar dynamometer (Patterson Medical, Green Bay, WI, USA). During the assessment, the participant will be seated with the shoulders adducted and in neutral rotation, the elbow flexed at 90°, the forearm in a neutral position, and the wrist between 0° and 30° of dorsiflexion. The evaluator will gently support the base of the dynamometer, place it in the participant's hand, and instruct the participant to squeeze as hard as possible. Three measurements of maximum voluntary contraction will be obtained for the right hand, and the highest value will be recorded in kilograms.	Baseline
Finger pinch strength	The pinch strength between the thumb and index finger of the participants' right hand will be assessed using a Jamar pinch gauge. During the assessment, the shoulder will be in adduction and neutral rotation, the elbow flexed at 90°, the forearm in mid-rotation, and the wrist in a neutral position. The participant will be instructed to squeeze the pinch gauge between the thumb and index finger as hard as possible. Three measurements of maximum voluntary contraction will be obtained for the right hand, and the highest value will be recorded in kilograms.	Baseline
Pressure pain threshold	The pressure pain threshold will be used to assess the patients' pain perception threshold. Pressure pain threshold will be measured using a manual pressure algometer (Baseline Dolorimeter®). The patients' pain perception thresholds will be measured at the right lateral epicondyle and at the midpoint of the web space between the first and second fingers. During the measurement, the algometer's flat circular probe with a surface area of 1.52 cm² will be placed on the relevant site, and pressure will be increased at a rate of 1 kg/second. The patients will be instructed to indicate the onset of pain by saying "stop" or by raising their hand when they begin to feel slight discomfort. For each reference site, the value will be calculated as the arithmetic mean of two measurements taken 30 seconds apart.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: İbrahim Tiryaki, MD, Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Sensation Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Communication Disorders; Learning Disabilities; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Specific Learning Disorder; Pain; Somatosensory Disorders; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Diagnosis; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome
• Other Study ID Numbers: 25/2/2026-Number:02/09 (Registry Identifier: Uskudar University Ethics Committee)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No