Effects of aging on vibration detection thresholds at various body regions

Stuart, M; Turman, AB; Shaw, J; Walsh, N; Nguyen, V

Effects of aging on vibration detection thresholds at various body regions

Stuart, M Turman, AB Shaw, J Walsh, N Nguyen, V

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Geriatrics, 2003, 3 pp. 1 - 10
Issue Date:: 2003-02-25

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Stuart, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Turman, AB	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Shaw, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Walsh, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Nguyen, V https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3744-1523	en_US
dc.date.available	2003-02-25	en_US
dc.date.issued	2003-02-25	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Geriatrics, 2003, 3 pp. 1 - 10	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1471-2318	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/47906
dc.description.abstract	Background: The ability to detect sinusoidal vibrations on the skin surface is dependent on the activation of two classes of receptors. The density of such receptors varies across the skin surface and is a factor in determining the sensory acuity of each skin area. However, the acuity of many sensory systems is known to deteriorate with advancing age. The aim of this study was to determine if vibrotactile sensibility of several skin surfaces deteriorated equally with advancing age. Methods: Vibration detection thresholds for two frequencies of vibration (30 Hz and 200 Hz) were determined using a method of limits protocol, in two groups of healthy adults, one group aged 17 to 27 years and the other aged 55 to 90 years. Sinusoidal vibrations were generated by a computer and delivered to the skin surface via the probe (diameter = 2 mm) of a mechanical vibrator. Four skin sites (palmar surface of the tip of the middle finger, volar surface of the forearm, lateral aspect of the shoulder, cheek just caudal to the zygoma) were tested. Results: The fingertip was the most sensitive site for vibrotactile detection at both frequencies in a substantial majority of subjects. The older group of subjects showed significantly higher detection thresholds for both frequencies at all sites, except the fingertip, when compared to young subjects. Conclusion: The study confirms the deterioration of vibrotactile acuity at several skin sites previously reported in the literature. However, there appears to be no significant reduction in vibrotactile detection at the fingertips in older subjects. This may reflect the high receptor density of this area, or the functional importance of vibrotactile sensibility of the fingertips or some combination of both of these factors.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Geriatrics	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/1471-2318-3-1	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Geriatrics	en_US
dc.title	Effects of aging on vibration detection thresholds at various body regions	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	3	en_US

Abstract:

Background: The ability to detect sinusoidal vibrations on the skin surface is dependent on the activation of two classes of receptors. The density of such receptors varies across the skin surface and is a factor in determining the sensory acuity of each skin area. However, the acuity of many sensory systems is known to deteriorate with advancing age. The aim of this study was to determine if vibrotactile sensibility of several skin surfaces deteriorated equally with advancing age. Methods: Vibration detection thresholds for two frequencies of vibration (30 Hz and 200 Hz) were determined using a method of limits protocol, in two groups of healthy adults, one group aged 17 to 27 years and the other aged 55 to 90 years. Sinusoidal vibrations were generated by a computer and delivered to the skin surface via the probe (diameter = 2 mm) of a mechanical vibrator. Four skin sites (palmar surface of the tip of the middle finger, volar surface of the forearm, lateral aspect of the shoulder, cheek just caudal to the zygoma) were tested. Results: The fingertip was the most sensitive site for vibrotactile detection at both frequencies in a substantial majority of subjects. The older group of subjects showed significantly higher detection thresholds for both frequencies at all sites, except the fingertip, when compared to young subjects. Conclusion: The study confirms the deterioration of vibrotactile acuity at several skin sites previously reported in the literature. However, there appears to be no significant reduction in vibrotactile detection at the fingertips in older subjects. This may reflect the high receptor density of this area, or the functional importance of vibrotactile sensibility of the fingertips or some combination of both of these factors.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/47906