Comparative Study
Journal Article
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Ageing and obesity indices influences the tactile acuity of the low back regions: A cross-sectional study.

Manual Therapy 2016 June
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Two-point discrimination threshold (TPDT) is increased in individuals with chronic low back pain. TPDT reference values and their determinants are required for clinical applications. Therefore, the aims of this research are to establish reference values for TPDT of the low back regions in healthy individuals, stratified for age, and to investigate the associations of demographic and anthropomorphic variables with TPDT.

METHODS: Healthy individuals (n = 79) across four decades (Group-I:18-29; Group-II:30-39; Group-III:40-49; and Group-IV:50-59years) were recruited. A mechanical calliper tool was used to determine the low back TPDT (mm) using an adaptive staircase method. Descriptive statistics were calculated for TPDT for each age group. Paired t-tests (p ≤ 0.05) were used to assess within group differences in TPDT between body sides. Univariate and weighted least squared linear regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between TPDT estimates and demographics, and body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR).

RESULTS: Mean (SD) age = 38.3(12.2); 55 female; and 73 right lower limb dominant. Mean (SD) TPDT threshold for all age groups: right = 67.3(15.6), and left = 65.7(15.4). No significant differences between left and right sides of the low back except in group-IV (mean difference:5.6[0.7-10.5]; P = 0.028). A total of 18% of TPDT variance (adjusted R(2) = 0.183; β = 0.6; p = ≤0.001) of low back regions was explained by age with BMI and WHR weighted independently.

CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI, and WHR were independently associated with TPDT of the low back, and the influence of age was significantly influenced by obesity indices.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

Related Resources

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app