Intra-observer reproducibility of the feet soles two-point discrimination test in asymptomatic elderly and young individuals.

BACKGROUND: The first sign of plantar sensory impairment due to aging and peripheral neuropathies are manifested on the soles of the feet and can result in postural control and balance deficits. The aim of cutaneous sensitivity tests is to assess the skin sensory innervation density such as those of the distal segments. In some studies the two-point discrimination test (TPD) have been applied on the soles of the feet and have proven to accurately distinguish elderly with and without falls events. However, the reproducibility of the test still needs to be determined.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to verify the intra-observer reproducibility of the TPD test on the soles of feet in asymptomatic elderly and young individuals.

METHOD: The sample was composed of 21 physically active elderly participants (67±5 years; 1:56±0.08 m, 65.3±13.7 kg) and 21 physically active young adults (24±3 years, 1.69±0.09 m, 54.5±9.5 kg). The participants attended two sessions with identical experimental procedures, with an interval of 48 hours between them. The skin sensitivity of the right foot sole was assessed using the TPD test. Intra-observer reproducibility was assessed using Bland-Altman plots.

RESULTS: Elderly and young participants showed sensitivity variations of 0.71% and 1.53%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: These values did not exceed two standard deviations and the TPD test was considered as a reproducible measure for the assessment of feet cutaneous sensitivity in asymptomatic and physically active young and elderly participants.