Five primary sensory categories are assessed: vibration (using a tuning fork), joint position (examiner moves the limb side-to-side and in a downward position), light touch, pinprick, and temperature.
The only pain involved is a momentary pinprick from the needle, and results from the test are usually available in one to two days.
Spinal cord lesions or disease can possibly be detected by pinprick and temperature assessment.
In this case, a mild pain stimulus, such as a pinprick, causes a maximum pain response.
