title: The sensitivity of the sole of the foot in patients with Morbus Parkinson.
abstract: The sensory input of the foot has an important influence on balance. In patients with Morbus Parkinson (PD-patients) balance control is often impaired. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the sensitivity of the plantar foot in PD-patients. Five sites of the plantar foot were examined in 24 PD-patients and in 20 controls using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments for touch pressure and a vibration-exciter (30 Hz) for vibration. The results show significantly higher thresholds in PD-patients. For each tested location (except the heel) the thresholds are at least twice as high as in controls. Moreover, this study proved the correlation between motor and somatosensory systems: the stronger the motor deficiencies in PD-patients (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating System score) the higher the sensitivity thresholds for vibration. In conclusion, reduced sensitivity of the plantar foot may contribute to impaired balance control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Locomotion, University of Essen, Henri-Dunant-Strasse 65, 45131, Essen, Germany. beate.praetorius@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prätorius
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimmeskamp
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Milani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004856:Postural Balance; D011312:Pressure; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration