Author: Liu, W.; Lipsitz, L.A.; Montero-Odasso, M.; Bean, J.; Kerrigan, D.C.; Collins, J.J.
Description: OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that vibrotactile detection thresholds in older adults, patients with stroke, and patients with diabetic neuropathy can be significantly reduced with the introduction of mechanical noise.
DESIGN: A randomized controlled study.
SETTING: A university research laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Twelve healthy elderly subjects (age range, 67-85y), 5 patients with stroke (age range, 24-64y), and 8 patients with diabetic neuropathy (age range, 53-77y).
INTERVENTIONS: Each subject’s detection thresholds (ie, minimum level of stimulus to be detected) for a vibrotactile stimulus without and with mechanical noise (ie, random vibration with a small intensity) were determined by using a 4-, 2-, and 1-stepping algorithm. The stimuli were applied to the fingertip and/or to the first metatarsal of the foot.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Detection threshold for a vibrotactile stimulus.
RESULTS: The detection threshold at the fingertip for the vibration stimulus with mechanical noise was significantly lower than that without mechanical noise for all 12 elderly subjects, for 4 of the 5 patients with stroke, and all 8 patients with diabetic neuropathy. For the 8 patients with diabetes, mechanical noise also significantly reduced the vibrotactile detection threshold at the foot.
CONCLUSIONS: Reduced vibrotactile sensitivity in older adults, patients with stroke, and patients with diabetic neuropathy can be significantly improved with input mechanical noise. Noise-based techniques and devices may prove useful in overcoming age- and disease-related losses in sensorimotor function.
Subject headings: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diabetic Neuropathies/complications/rehabilitation; Female; Fingers/innervation; Foot/innervation; Humans; Hypesthesia/etiology/rehabilitation; Male; Middle Aged; Noise; Perceptual Masking; Sensory Thresholds; Statistics, Nonparametric; Stroke/complications/rehabilitation
Publication year: 2002
Journal or book title: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume: 83
Issue: 2
Pages: 171-176
Find the full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999302627091
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Type: Journal Article
Serial number: 1259