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Low efficacy using the 256-Hz tuning fork when evaluating the influence of somatosensation in balance control for relatively healthy elderly

Hafström, Anna LU (2018) In Acta Oto-Laryngologica 138(10). p.937-944
Abstract

Background: Diminished foot somatosensation contributes to balance deficits and increased fall risk. However, it remains unclear if the 256-Hz tuning fork is adequate to measure, in the outpatient clinical setting, somatosensation in relatively healthy elderly. Aims/Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the 256-Hz tuning fork compared to other measures of somatosensation and balance. Material and methods: Thirty-six subjects (mean 69.4 ± 5.3 years) were allocated into four 256-Hz tuning fork sensation groups (TFSG) based on their ability to detect vibration at the first metatarsal, malleolus, tibia or no sites. A biothesiometer measured vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) and 20 monofilaments tactile pressure sensation... (More)

Background: Diminished foot somatosensation contributes to balance deficits and increased fall risk. However, it remains unclear if the 256-Hz tuning fork is adequate to measure, in the outpatient clinical setting, somatosensation in relatively healthy elderly. Aims/Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the 256-Hz tuning fork compared to other measures of somatosensation and balance. Material and methods: Thirty-six subjects (mean 69.4 ± 5.3 years) were allocated into four 256-Hz tuning fork sensation groups (TFSG) based on their ability to detect vibration at the first metatarsal, malleolus, tibia or no sites. A biothesiometer measured vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) and 20 monofilaments tactile pressure sensation thresholds (TPSTs). Balance was evaluated with posturography, functional balance tests and questionnaires. Results: There were no significant differences in age, VPTs or TPSTs between the four TFSGs, nor in outcome of functional balance tests, posturography and questionnaires. Very few significant associations were found between TFSGs and VPTs, TPSTs, functional balance tests, posturography and questionnaires. Conclusions and significance: Somatosensation measured with a 256-Hz tuning fork seems to be a minor determinant for balance and thus superfluous when evaluating the importance of vibration perception for balance control in relatively healthy elderly.

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author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
balance, Elderly, functional balance, one leg standing time, postural control, posturography, tactile sensation, tuning fork test, vibration sensation
in
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
volume
138
issue
10
pages
937 - 944
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:30113876
  • scopus:85052110240
ISSN
0001-6489
DOI
10.1080/00016489.2018.1488084
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
2c0a5a00-7013-4f9f-bc99-56f22ce693d2
date added to LUP
2018-10-04 14:36:46
date last changed
2024-03-02 01:41:54
@article{2c0a5a00-7013-4f9f-bc99-56f22ce693d2,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Diminished foot somatosensation contributes to balance deficits and increased fall risk. However, it remains unclear if the 256-Hz tuning fork is adequate to measure, in the outpatient clinical setting, somatosensation in relatively healthy elderly. Aims/Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the 256-Hz tuning fork compared to other measures of somatosensation and balance. Material and methods: Thirty-six subjects (mean 69.4 ± 5.3 years) were allocated into four 256-Hz tuning fork sensation groups (TFSG) based on their ability to detect vibration at the first metatarsal, malleolus, tibia or no sites. A biothesiometer measured vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) and 20 monofilaments tactile pressure sensation thresholds (TPSTs). Balance was evaluated with posturography, functional balance tests and questionnaires. Results: There were no significant differences in age, VPTs or TPSTs between the four TFSGs, nor in outcome of functional balance tests, posturography and questionnaires. Very few significant associations were found between TFSGs and VPTs, TPSTs, functional balance tests, posturography and questionnaires. Conclusions and significance: Somatosensation measured with a 256-Hz tuning fork seems to be a minor determinant for balance and thus superfluous when evaluating the importance of vibration perception for balance control in relatively healthy elderly.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hafström, Anna}},
  issn         = {{0001-6489}},
  keywords     = {{balance; Elderly; functional balance; one leg standing time; postural control; posturography; tactile sensation; tuning fork test; vibration sensation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{10}},
  pages        = {{937--944}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Acta Oto-Laryngologica}},
  title        = {{Low efficacy using the 256-Hz tuning fork when evaluating the influence of somatosensation in balance control for relatively healthy elderly}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2018.1488084}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/00016489.2018.1488084}},
  volume       = {{138}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}