Effects of Demographic Features and Living in Nursing Home on Plantar Sensitivity in Older Individuals

Aim: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, obesity, and living in nursing home on plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 95 older individuals who were living in the community or nursing home, consisting of 60 women and 35 men, mean age of 74.38±6.59 years. Demographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded, and plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity was evaluated in nine zone of the foot (heel, medial midfoot, lateral midfoot, the first, third and fifth metatarsal head, and the first, third and fifth toe) with monofilament (SemmesWeinstein？, NorthCoast Medical, Inc, USA). Individuals were assigned to groups according to where they live, age ranges, gender, and body mass index, than the groups were compared in terms of plantar sensitivity. Results: Plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity was reduced in right and left heel of the older living in nursing home than living in the community; in left first, third and fifth metatarsal and in right and left heel of older above age of 75 years than aged between 65 and 75 years; in left heel of men than women (p<0.05). There were no significant difference in plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity among normal, overweight and obese subjects (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that older age, male sex and living in nursing home might have a negative effect on plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity. Plantar light touch-pressure sensitivity of the normal, overweight and obese older individuals were found to be similar