Advisor Information
Kota Takahashi
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
2-3-2018 10:45 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 12:00 PM
Abstract
Sensations from the residual limb and the prosthetic socket interface may be important for mobility/balance following an amputation. One potential way to improve sensation in the residual limb-socket interface is the use of sub-threshold vibrations. We hypothesized that the application of a subthreshold pink noise vibration will improve an amputee’s ability to perceive a light touch stimulus in the residual limb surrounding the area of the amputation. 20 unilateral transtibial amputees (ages 59.7±15 yrs) and seventeen healthy control subjects (ages 54.1±16 yrs) participated. For transtibial amputees light touch sensation threshold (LTST), baseline was tested first and then across 3 conditions randomly presented: no vibration, white noise vibration, and pink noise vibration. The baseline and conditions were administered to the mid-thigh by a vibrating tactor. Monofilaments were used to quantify the LTST of the tibial crest. The monofilament diameter of 5.07, is the reference for the protective sensory threshold (PST) 1. The LTST was established using the 4-2-1 stepping algorithm2. This algorithm uses repeated responses to increased and the lack of responses to stimuli to find the LTST. The shifts of sensation were recorded and averaged. The Amputees were split into 2 groups, those averaged above the PST (n=8) and those averaged below (n=8) the PST. The LTST was significantly greater in amputees than healthy controls. The vibrations did not significantly influence the LTST in amputees, regardless of whether the individuals were above or below the PST. Further testing is being done using biomechanics-based analyses.
The Effects of Vibrations on the Light Touch Perception Threshold of Transtibial Amputees
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Sensations from the residual limb and the prosthetic socket interface may be important for mobility/balance following an amputation. One potential way to improve sensation in the residual limb-socket interface is the use of sub-threshold vibrations. We hypothesized that the application of a subthreshold pink noise vibration will improve an amputee’s ability to perceive a light touch stimulus in the residual limb surrounding the area of the amputation. 20 unilateral transtibial amputees (ages 59.7±15 yrs) and seventeen healthy control subjects (ages 54.1±16 yrs) participated. For transtibial amputees light touch sensation threshold (LTST), baseline was tested first and then across 3 conditions randomly presented: no vibration, white noise vibration, and pink noise vibration. The baseline and conditions were administered to the mid-thigh by a vibrating tactor. Monofilaments were used to quantify the LTST of the tibial crest. The monofilament diameter of 5.07, is the reference for the protective sensory threshold (PST) 1. The LTST was established using the 4-2-1 stepping algorithm2. This algorithm uses repeated responses to increased and the lack of responses to stimuli to find the LTST. The shifts of sensation were recorded and averaged. The Amputees were split into 2 groups, those averaged above the PST (n=8) and those averaged below (n=8) the PST. The LTST was significantly greater in amputees than healthy controls. The vibrations did not significantly influence the LTST in amputees, regardless of whether the individuals were above or below the PST. Further testing is being done using biomechanics-based analyses.