Abstract
AimsTo evaluate vibrotactile perception at different frequencies in fingers and in foot in healthy girls and boys.MethodsVibration perception thresholds (VPTs) were measured in 283 healthy (8–20 years), consecutively included, girls (n=146) and boys (n=137); i.e., 269 children after excluding those with diseases or disorders possibly affecting the nervous system. Thresholds were measured in finger pulps of index and little fingers (seven frequencies; 8–500 Hz) and at first and fifth metatarsal head and at heel in the sole of the foot (six frequencies; 8–250 Hz;) using Multi Frequency Tactilometry.ResultsVPTs, divided in six groups by age and gender (i.e., 8–10 years, 11–15 years and 16–20 years), at all three sites in the sole increased with higher frequencies, but without gender differences. Thresholds at 64 and 125 Hz were generally higher at heel compared to metatarsal heads. VPTs in finger pulps of index and little fingers, with no finger differences, had a different pattern with increasing thresholds with frequency, but with lower thresholds at 64 and 125 Hz. Thresholds at lower frequencies were higher in finger pulps, while at higher frequencies VPTs were lower in finger pulps than in the sole of the foot; thus, vibration perception in the sole was better than perception in finger pulps at lower frequencies and opposite at higher frequencies. VPTs were higher among adolescents than in younger children in the foot, while thresholds were lower in the finger pulps among adolescents, particularly in index finger. Thresholds in finger pulps of index and little fingers, particularly at higher frequencies, correlated with each other, which the three sites in the sole also did.ConclusionsVPTs in fingers and in feet are different as related to frequency in healthy girls and boys. Multi Frequency Tactilometry is a future valuable method to detect neuropathy in children and adolescents.
Highlights
Vibrotactile perception at tactile surfaces in hands and feet, in finger pulps and in the sole, are important for function [1,2], and may be impaired early in various neuropathies [3]
Thresholds at lower frequencies were higher in finger pulps, while at higher frequencies Vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) were lower in finger pulps than in the sole of the foot; vibration perception in the sole was better than perception in finger pulps at lower frequencies and opposite at higher frequencies
VPTs were higher among adolescents than in younger children in the foot, while thresholds were lower in the finger pulps among adolescents, in index finger
Summary
Vibrotactile perception at tactile surfaces in hands and feet, in finger pulps and in the sole, are important for function [1,2], and may be impaired early in various neuropathies [3]. Vibrotactile perception is commonly investigated at the pre-tibia, at the medial malleolus and at the big toe at a specific frequency to detect neuropathy [7,8], but tactile surfaces may be more important sites to examine as related to function [8,9,10]. Vibrotactile perception at tactile surfaces has not been examined in previous studies to obtain normative data in children and adolescents [19,20]. Our aim was to evaluate VPTs at tactile surfaces in finger pulps of the hand and in the sole of the foot unilaterally in healthy children and adolescents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
