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Model 16013 User’s Manual
Model 16013
© 2004 by Lafayette Instrument Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved-
Rel. 7.1.04
VON FREY AESTHESIOMETER
VON FREY AESTHESIOMETER
VON FREY AESTHESIOMETER
VON FREY AESTHESIOMETER
VON FREY AESTHESIOMETER
USER INSTR
USER INSTR
USER INSTR
USER INSTR
USER INSTRUCTIONS
UCTIONS
UCTIONS
UCTIONS
UCTIONS
DESCRIPTION:
The Von Frey Aesthesiometer consists of a disk
snapped to the handle from which nine graduated
nylon bristles extend. Use of this small but
reliable aesthesiometer provides a quick and
convenient way to establish relative sensitivity in
different regions of the skin.
SAMPLE EXPERIMENT:
Problem
Determine the relative sensitivity of selected areas of the skin.
Material & Apparatus
Von Frey-type aesthesiometer, blindfold (Lafayette’s #33010 blindfold goggle or similar), paper
and pencil.
Procedure
Blindfold Subject (S). Apply the bristle of the aesthesiometer to 8 areas of the skin in the
following manner: press bristle #1 against skin until it flexes
slightly
. Maintain this slight flex
and ask if S can feel the bristle; if S cannot, apply bristle #2 and so on until S reports feeling
bristle. Apply the next larger bristle and then repeat the above procedure in the reverse
direction until S reports that he can no longer feel the bristle. Be sure to record the number of
the first and last bristle felt each time. This ascending and descending test procedure should be
repeated three times for each bristle at each of the eight sites. Suggested sites: volar pad of
index finger, back of hand, top of forearm (area with hair), underside of forearm (area without
hair), lips, cheek, back of neck and calf of leg.
Results
Construct a table listing the eight areas of the skin tested. Beside each area listed, present the mean
ascending threshold, mean descending threshold and combined mean threshold.
Discussion
What areas of the skin are most sensitive and which are least sensitive? What biological significance
can you associate with the relative sensitivity of different areas of the skin? How is the differential
touch sensitivity of various parts of the skin associated with behavior?