A139: The Difference of Strength, Proprioception, Sensation Between withand without Sensory Deficit Elderly

<bold>PURPOSE:</bold> Sensory deficits can increase the risk of falls in older adults. At present, the difference of muscle strength, proprioception, tactile sensation between with and without sensory deficits elderly is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the difference of these three factors between the two groups. <bold>METHODS:</bold> Forty-five older adults (female=22, age=68.31±3.25 years, height=162.71±6.78 cm, body mass=64.32±10.00 kg) with (unable to detect a 5.07 Semmes–Weinstein monofilament on plantar positions) and forty nine older adults without (female=26, age=70.02±4.90 years, height=163.76±7.60 cm, body mass=65.83±10.31 kg) sensory deficits were recruited. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in age, height, and weight using independent-samples t-tests. Muscle strength, proprioception thresholds, and plantar tactile sensations were tests by a IsoMed 2000 strength testing system at an angular velocity of 60˚/s, proprioception test devices, and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, respectively. Shapiro–Wilk tests showed the data were normally distributed. Group differences were tested by independent-samples t-tests. <bold>RESULTS:</bold> Significant between-group differences were detected in proprioception, and tactile sensation, while not in strength: Proprioceptive of ankle plantarflexion (Sensory deficits: 5.06±4.25, Control: 2.99±2.62, η²=0.075, p=0.006) and dorsiflexion (Sensory deficits: 4.36±3.51, Control: 2.57±2.08, η²=0.106, p=0.001). Tactile sensation at the Great toe (Sensory deficits: 4.55±0.79, Control: 4.14±0.38, η²=0.133, p&lt;0.001), 1st metatarsals (Sensory deficits: 4.58±0.78, Control: 4.10±0.38, η²=0.115, p&lt;0.001), 5th metatarsals (Sensory deficits: 4.63±0.64, Control: 4.18±0.35, η²=0.226, p&lt;0.001), Arch (Sensory deficits: 4.79±0.75, Control: 4.24±0.33, η²=0.242, p&lt;0.001), Heel (Sensory deficits: 5.11±0.82, Control: 4.35±0.29, η²=0.310, p&lt;0.001). Muscle strength of ankle plantarflexion (Sensory deficits: 0.35±0.19, Control: 0.38±0.14, d=0.180, p=0.356) and ankle dorsiflexion (Sensory deficits: 0.21±0.07, Control: 0.22±0.06, d=0.093, p=0.640). <bold>DISCUSSION:</bold> Proprioception and tactile sensitivity are important components of the somatosensory system, and both work in synergy and are interconnected through interneurons and alpha neurons. The connection of proprioception and tactile sensation may line in the sharing receptors (e.g., the rapidly adapting fiber receptors from Pacinian corpuscles), which are typical tactile receptors, make an essential contribution to proprioception. <bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> Older adults with sensory deficits have poorer proprioception and deficit postural stability than those without sensory deficits.