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Effects of Type II Diabetes on Proprioception during a Reach to Pinch Task
Lauren I Gulley Cox1, Nicholas Dias2, Chuan Zhang2
1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|November 24, 2023
Summary
Type II diabetes (T2D) impairs upper limb proprioception in older adults, affecting movement accuracy and aiming strategies. This study reveals functional sensorimotor deficits in the arms of older adults with T2D.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Older adults with type II diabetes (T2D) face risks of nerve disorders and functional impairment.
- Existing research on T2D-related proprioceptive dysfunction primarily addresses lower limb deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of T2D on upper limb proprioception in older adults.
- To characterize sensorimotor alterations in the arms of individuals with T2D.
Main Methods:
- Assessed kinematic performance of a reach-to-pinch action in older adults with T2D and a matched control group.
- Evaluated task accuracy, including wrist and digit trajectories, and compared tactile/vibratory thresholds.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in tactile or vibratory thresholds were found between groups.
- Persons with T2D exhibited significantly worse task accuracy in pinch location and various joint movements (wrist, CMC, MCP2).
- Group differences in accuracy persisted after accounting for BMI, and sex-based differences emerged.
Conclusions:
- Proprioception of the upper extremity is demonstrably altered in older adults with T2D.
- Individuals with T2D display unique aperture positioning and aiming strategies during reach-to-pinch tasks.
- These findings highlight functional sensorimotor impairments in the upper limbs of older adults with T2D.
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