Quantitative Sensor Test
What is it?
The quantitative sensory test (QST) is used to evaluate
the function of nerve fibers. The large nerve fibers carry
sensations of vibrations; the medium nerve fibers carry
sensations of cold; and the small nerve fibers carry
sensations of heat. QST is especially effective because it
provides information about even the smallest nerve fibers.
Who needs this procedure?
QST is used to diagnose conditions that involve sensory
abnormalities such as pain, burning, tingling, and
numbness in the arms, legs, or trunk of the body. Some
examples of conditions that cause these abnormalities
include carpal tunnel syndrome; radiculopathy; damage to
the peripheral nerves caused by thyroid disease, diabetes,
exposure to certain toxic substances, or alcoholism;
neuropathy; reflex sympathetic dystrophy; whiplash; and
diseases such as multiple sclerosis, which destroy the
protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers.
How do I prepare for this procedure?
There are no special preparations for this procedure.
How is this procedure performed?
During the QST procedure, the healthcare professional
will administer various hot, cold, and vibrating
stimulations to both the affected and non-affected areas
of your body. The stimulation is brief, and should be no
more than mildly uncomfortable when testing your response
to heat and cold. You will be asked to tell the healthcare
professional when you feel the stimulation and what type
of sensation you feel, very similar to a hearing test.
Both sides of your body are tested, and your test results
are compared with those of patients with no sensory
abnormalities. There are no needles or electric shocks
involved in this test.
What can I expect after the procedure?
This procedure has no side effects. Your doctor will
notify you of the test results.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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