Age, gender, and side differences of cutaneous electrical perceptual threshold testing in an able-bodied population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate age, gender, and left-right differences in cutaneous electrical perceptual threshold (EPT) testing in an able-bodied, Australian sample.


METHODS
Prospective experimental.


METHODS
Hospital-based spinal cord injuries unit.


METHODS
Cutaneous electrical stimulation of the 28 dermatomes at ASIA sensory key points (C2-S4/S5) was performed on 29 female and 16 male healthy volunteers aged 21 to 76 years. Mean EPTs for each dermatome were compared (repeated measures ANOVA) for left-right, gender-related, and age-related (</ >50 years of age) differences.


RESULTS
There was no group difference between sides (repeated measures ANOVA, P = 0.934). Women across all ages had lower group mean EPTs than men (P < 0.0001). Women younger than age 50 years had lower mean EPTs than those older than age 50 years (P = 0.008). There was no group difference between younger and older men (P = 0.371). Analysis of individual dermatomes revealed no significant differences in thoracic dermatomes between genders or age groups, contrary to the limb dermatomes.


CONCLUSIONS
There were gender differences in EPT values across all ages. Women had higher EPTs as they advanced in age, but this was less clear in men. There was considerable somatotopic variability in EPTs, especially in the lower limbs. If EPT testing is to be applied to detect subclinical changes within a dermatome, establishment of age- and gender-specific somatotopic normograms is a prerequisite.
Leong
Grace Woon Su
GW
Spinal Injuries Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. grleong@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Lauschke
Jenny
J
Rutowski
Susan B
SB
Waite
Phil M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D055815:Young Adult