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A two alternative forced choice method for assessing vibrotactile discrimination thresholds in the lower limb. Somatosens Mot Res 2019 Jun;36(2):162-170

Date

07/04/2019

Pubmed ID

31267810

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6653623

DOI

10.1080/08990220.2019.1632184

Abstract

The development of an easy to implement, quantitative measure to examine vibration perception would be useful for future application in clinical settings. Vibration sense in the lower limb of younger and older adults was examined using the method of constant stimuli (MCS) and the two-alternative forced choice paradigm. The focus of this experiment was to determine an appropriate stimulation site on the lower limb (tendon versus bone) to assess vibration threshold and to determine if the left and right legs have varying thresholds. Discrimination thresholds obtained at two stimulation sites in the left and right lower limbs showed differences in vibration threshold across the two ages groups, but not across sides of the body nor between stimulation sites within each limb. Overall, the MCS can be implemented simply, reliably, and with minimal time. It can also easily be implemented with low-cost technology. Therefore, it could be a good candidate method to assess the presence of specific deep sensitivity deficits in clinical practice, particularly in populations likely to show the onset of sensory deficits.

Author List

Iandolo R, Carè M, Shah VA, Schiavi S, Bommarito G, Boffa G, Giannoni P, Inglese M, Mrotek LA, Scheidt RA, Casadio M

Author

Robert Scheidt BS,MS,PhD Associate Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette University




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Choice Behavior
Discrimination Learning
Female
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Physical Stimulation
Random Allocation
Sensory Thresholds
Touch Perception
Vibration
Young Adult