Considerations for tactile perceptual assessments: impact of arm dominance, nerve, location, and sex in young and older adults

• DOI: 10.1007/s00221-025-07044-5
• Publication Date: 2025-03-15T20:35:12Z
• Authors: Emily M. Tirrell; Nahid Kalantaryar...; Anna C. Feldbush; Lindsey Sydnor; Christopher Grubb; Kevin Parcetich; Netta Gurari
• Keywords: Tactile Perception; Dominance (genetics)

Abstract Purpose Intact tactile perception is essential to successfully interact with objects. While examinations exist for capturing impairments, recent investigations underscore that these remain insufficient, particularly adults following a neurological injury. To inform the design of improved assessments, this study comprehensively captures factors can influence in young and older who are neurologically intact. Methods We examined impact arm dominance (dominant/non-dominant), nerve (median/ulnar/radial), location (hand/elbow), sex (male/female) on thresholds at which electrotactile stimuli could be consciously detected when applied skin 20 14 right-arm dominant participants. Results Significant differences depending were not found (p = 0.6781) or 0.2786) adults. Yet, tested did yield differing < 0.0001) In adults, less hand than elbow 0.0031). average threshold was greater elbow. Importantly, increased age extent 0.0001). Thresholds males females 0.0004), whereas no significant observed 0.2560). Conclusion This work highlights importance addressing numerous their interactions assessing (e.g., dominance, nerve, location, sex, age). Findings assessments more accurately capture why impairments arise, including