Explore the intriguing link between COVID-19 and subtle changes in touch perception, as our latest study delves into the sensory aftermath of the virus using the precise Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test.
– by Klaus
Note that Klaus is a Santa-like GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Subclinical finding in the perception of tactile sensation involvement after SARS-CoV2 infection: comparison with healthy controls using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing.
Tereshko et al., Front Neurol 2023
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1275063
Ho-ho-ho! Gather ’round, my curious elves, for a tale of the post-Christmas blues, or rather, the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. In a land not so far away, a group of researchers, much like Santa’s helpers, embarked on a mission to explore the mysterious case of individuals who, after a tussle with the notorious SARS-CoV2, complained of peculiar sensory changes. They were not writing letters to Santa, but they sure had something to say about their newfound paresthesia and neuropathic pain, akin to the tingling one might feel when out in the frosty North Pole air for too long.
In a workshop equipped with the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), much like the tools we use to check who’s naughty or nice, these diligent researchers examined 30 patients who had recovered from the SARS-CoV2 infection (the COVID group) and 46 controls who had been as good as gold, steering clear of the virus (the control group). These participants were as healthy as reindeer, with no comorbidities, sensory impairments, or medications that could muddle the results.
One by one, like checking each Christmas light on a string, they tested the tactile sensation of the thumb, index, and little finger, as well as the dorsum and the hypothenar regions of each hand. And what did they find, you ask? Well, both groups could feel the touch as well as children can feel the excitement on Christmas Eve, all within the normal range.
But, hold your reindeer! There was a twist in the tale. The COVID group, much like a sled on slightly uneven snow, showed a higher mean target force (27 grams) compared to the control group’s 19 grams, a finding as surprising as a white Christmas in the tropics. This suggested that, while their sensation was still within the range of the jolly, there might be a subclinical sleigh ride affecting their A-beta nerve fibers.
So, my dear friends, as we wrap up this story like a present under the tree, remember that even when things seem normal, there might be more than meets the eye—or in this case, the fingertip. The COVID group, though outwardly as hale and hearty as Santa’s elves, might just be experiencing a touch of the post-COVID chill in their nerves. Keep your mittens on and stay cozy, for the world of science is always full of surprises! 🎅🔬