Thermal Threshold testing

Introduction

This leaflet is designed to give you some information about the investigation for which you have been referred. We hope it reassures you. We have an experienced team of experts who conduct these investigations and you will have the chance to discuss further questions or concerns before the start of the investigation.

Consent

We need your consent for any procedure or treatment beforehand. Staff will explain all the risks and benefits before they ask for your verbal consent. If you are unsure about any aspect of the procedure or treatment proposed, please do not hesitate to ask for more information during your appointment.

What is a Thermal Threshold Testing?

Thermal threshold testing will measure the sensory function of the small nerve fibres (SNF) that are responsible for sensation of cold and hot temperatures. This will give information about your peripheral nerves and it is often used in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy.

This will be performed by qualifified healthcare scientists or a neurophysiology consultant - if you would feel more comfortable with a member of staff of a particular gender or would like an chaperone please let us know.

What is the reason for the test?

This test assesses the function of very small nerve fibers that give us information about temperature. You may have already had or are also going to have electromyography (EMG) and/or nerve conduction study (NCS) as part of the assessment.

What happens during the test?

A member of staff will collect you from the waiting room and take you to the clinical room. You may bring one person to accompany you.The staff member will explain about the test and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. You should expect to be in the department for approximately 30 -45 minutes.

The team will place a cube-shaped ceramic piece of equipment on your hands and/or feet that will produce a hot of cold sensation. You will have a button on one of your hands that you will need to press whenever you feel a temperature change. This will all be explained to you on the day of your appointment.

Where is the test performed?

Neurophysiology have two departments. One of these can be found on level 3 of the Main Outpatients building and the other is located in Clinic 33 of the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre.

Please check your letter carefully for details on where your appointment will be and use the maps provided in this leaflet to guide you. Additional information on getting to Addenbrooke’s and different modes of transport can be found on the finding us page on the CUH website.

Please note, if you arrive more than 30 minutes late for your appointment, you may not be seen.

Please contact us if you are travelling via hospital transport as this may determine the time of your appointment. Unfortunately, we are unable to see patients on beds or on stretchers in our outpatient department; please call us if this affects you.

Who will be present?

There will be one or two healthcare scientists present performing the test.

Addenbrooke’s is a teaching hospital and you may be asked if you would consent to trainee staff performing the test under supervision or if you would mind other healthcare professionals/students observing the test. Refusing consent for this will not affect your test.

We have no provision for accompanying children to be supervised whilst you are having this investigation.

Before coming to your appointment

It is important that you do not use any moisturisers on the day of your appointment. These can interfere with the electrodes that we use to stimulate the sensory responses.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

There is no restriction on eating or drinking before, or after, the investigation.

Please continue taking any medication you are prescribed. It would be helpful to bring a list of your current medications with you.

Risks

There is a very small risk of skin reaction due to changes in temperature when testing. Please inform us if you have any skin conditions, sensitive skin or any allergies.

What happens afterwards?

If you have no other appointments at the hospital you will be free to leave. The results will be sent to the consultant who referred you for the test.

When do I get the results?

The results will not be available on the day of the recording. The healthcare scientist and doctor will review the test and will prepare a detailed report for the consultant that referred you. The results will be sent to your referring consultant within 2 weeks, sooner if urgent. It is best to discuss these results with the consultant that referred you as they will need to be explained alongside any other tests that have been performed.

Contacts / further information

If you need any further information or have any other queries please contact the neurophysiology administrator by phone on 01223 217136 Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 or e-mail neuro physiology.

If your appointment is in Clinic 33 of the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre

We are on level 3 in the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC). We are at the end of the corridor, just before the double doors to Papworth Hospital. You will find us next to the Endoscopy department.

If your appointment is in Neurophsyiology in the Main Outpatients Buidling

We are on level 3 in the Outpatients building area. You will find us in-between ward A3 and the Ultrassound department.

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My Chart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device More information is available on the My Chart section on our website.