Measuring Change in Somatosensation Across the Lifespan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The study aim was to determine natural variability in somatosensation across age groups using brief measures. We validated measures in a community-dwelling population as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function (NIH Toolbox; http://www.nihtoolbox.org).METHOD. Participants included community-dwelling children and adults (N 5 367, ages 3-85 yr) across seven sites. We tested haptic recognition, touch detection-discrimination, and proprioception using brief affordable measures as required by the NIH Toolbox.RESULTS. Accuracy improved from young children to young adults; from young to older adults, the pattern reversed slightly. We found significant differences between adults and older adults. One proprioception test (kinesthesia; p 5.003) showed gender differences (females more accurate). We provide expected score ranges for age groups as a basis for understanding age-related expectations for somatosensory perception.CONCLUSION. The age-related patterns of somatosensory perception from this study refine decision making about performance.

Does somatosensation change with age in children and adolescents? A systematic review

“…Dunn et al () reported that children 6 years and younger (3–<7) performed significantly less well ( p < .0001) than the older age group (7–<19) for tactile discrimination. Similarly, Dunn et al () described an increase in tactile discrimination as age increased with the older age group (7–12 years) outperforming the younger age group (3–6 years). Yoshioka et al () established that mean errors in tactile localisation decreased with age between 4 and 9 years and were stable thereafter.…”

“…Errors made by children were also more variable and ranged from 0.1° to 20.8° compared with the adolescents where range of error was between 0.0° and 14.1°. Dunn et al () reported a decrease in error from 3 to 12 years for kinesthesia and also reported more variability in scores for 3 to 6 years olds compared with 7 to 12 year olds. Dunn et al () reported a statistically significant improvement ( p = .000) between 3 to <7 year olds and 7 to <19 year olds for kinesthesia.…”

“…To measure touch sensitivity Riquelme et al () used standardised von Frey monofilaments (0.14–1.01 mm) which have documented psychometric properties (Somedic Sales AB, Sweden). To measure tactile perception Abu‐Dahab et al () used the Reitan–Kolve test of Finger Agnosia and Dunn et al (; ) used the standardised Tactile Discrimination Test to measure tactile discrimination. Both measures reported robust psychometric properties for adults (Reitan & Wolfson, ; Carey, Oke, & Matyas, ).…”

“…Goble et al () and Hay et al () reported that their testing procedure was based on previous research methodology; however, no psychometric data were reported. Dunn et al () used the Brief Kinesthesia Test (Ayres, ; ; ) and Dunn et al () used an assessment battery including the Brief Kinesthesia Test, Wrist Position Sense Test and the Clinical Test of Wrist Position (Carey, Oke, & Matyas, ). The Wrist Position Sense Test reported robust psychometric properties for adults.…”

“…Dunn et al () was the only study to report on limb position sense at the wrist and reported a decrease in error from 3 to 12 years.…”