title: Tactile acuity, body schema integrity and physical performance of the shoulder: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Normative two-point discrimination thresholds (TPDTs) have been reported for different body regions and the relationships between TPDT and body schema integrity and physical performances are previously shown. However, such relationships with shoulder physical performance have not been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To quantify TPDT of the shoulders in healthy individuals and investigate whether TPDT and body schema integrity are related to physical performances and to identify the relationship between TPDT and body schema integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Means (SD) of TPDTs of the dominant shoulder (DS) and non-dominant shoulder (NDS) were 44.8 (13.1) mm and 39.3 (9.5) mm respectively. TPDT scores were significantly negatively correlated with closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST) scores (r = -385, p = .036) and left/right judgement task (LRJT) response times (DS: rho = -449, p = .013 and NDS: rho = -388, p = .034). No significant correlations were found between TPDT and scores on functional throwing performance index (FTPI) and LRJT accuracy. However, positive moderate correlations were observed between LRJT and CKCUEST scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TPDTs for ND and NDS in a cohort of adults have been documented. Tactile acuity and body schema integrity scores were correlated with superior performance in the upper limb stability task, indicating the potential role of tactile acuity and motor imagery training on maximizing physical performance.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity & Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ingunn
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Botnmark
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity & Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tumilty
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity & Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: ramakrishnan.mani@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Ramakrishnan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Cortical reorganisation; Laterality; Proprioception; Tactile spatial acuity