Mechanisms of tactile sensory deterioration amongst the elderly.

ABSTRACT: It is known that roughness-smoothness, hardness-softness, stickiness-slipperiness and warm-cold are predominant perceptual dimensions in macro-, micro- and nano- texture perception. However, it is not clear to what extent active tactile texture discrimination remains intact with age. The general decrease in tactile ability induces physical and emotional dysfunction in elderly, and has increasing significance for an aging population. We report a method to quantify tactile acuity based on blinded active exploration of systematically varying micro-textured surfaces and a same-different paradigm. It reveals that elderly participants show significantly reduced fine texture discrimination ability. The elderly group also displays statistically lower finger friction coefficient, moisture and elast

SUBMITTER: Skedung L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5908919 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature