Sensation

Sensation refers to the biochemical and neurologic process of detecting incoming nerve impulses as nervous system activity. Sensory processes are vital to one’s level of independence in relationships with others, academic and occupational endeavors, and activities of daily living. Objective tests of sensation can systematically examine and determine if participants have intact sensory functioning. There is also fundamental overlap of certain sensory processes with cognitive and motor functioning.

Odor Identification Test

Sensation: Olfaction

Ages: 3+

Test Time: 4 minutes

An assessment of olfaction. Participants are asked to identify and name odors on scratch-and-sniff cards.

Pain Intensity Test

Sensation: Pain

Ages: 18+

Test Time: 1 minutes

A fixed form assessment of the participant’s level of pain in the past 7 days. Participants are asked to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. The Pain Intensity test is also part of the PROMIS-29 Profile.

Pain Interference Test

Sensation: Pain

Ages: 18+

Test Time: 1 minutes

An assessment of pain administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Participants are asked the extent to which pain has interfered with or affected the enjoyment of various activities in the past 7 days. The Pain Interference test is also part of the PROMIS-29 Profile.

Regional Taste Intensity Test

Sensation: Taste

Ages: 12+

Test Time: 6 minutes

An assessment of taste sensitivity. Participants are asked to rate the intensity of salty and bitter solutions on the tip of their tongue and mouth.

Visual Acuity Test

Sensation: Vestibular

Ages: 3+

Test Time: 3 minutes

An assessment of distance vision. Participants are asked to sit 3 meters from the iPad and identify the letters that appear on the screen, either verbally (ages 3-7 & ages 8+) or by pointing to the same letter on a card in front of them (ages 3-7).

Words-In-Noise Test

Sensation: Audition

Ages: 6+

Test Time: 6 minutes

An assessment of the ability to recognize single words amid varying levels of background noise. The participant is asked to repeat the words presented by the audio.