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Oral Proprioceptive Sensitivity and Upper Limb Kinesthetic Acuity: A Pilot Study
Sponsor: Sophie Román Richon
Summary
The goal of this observational study is to investigate whether differences in oral proprioceptive sensitivity are associated with differences in kinesthetic acuity of the upper limbs in children. The study examines two aspects of proprioception: oral proprioceptive sensitivity, which refers to the sensory response to proprioceptive stimulation of structures in the mouth, and upper-limb kinesthetic acuity, which refers to the ability to perceive the position or movement of the arms without relying on vision. The study will also explore whether oral and auditory sensory stimuli can produce small, transient visual losses, referred to as visual pseudoscotomas, during a perceptual test based on the Maddox rod. Participants will complete standardized experimental tasks designed to assess upper-limb kinesthetic acuity and oral proprioceptive sensitivity. The study is intended to contribute to the understanding of possible relationships between oral proprioception and proprioception of the upper limbs in children, and of how oral and auditory sensory information may interact with visual perception.
Official title: Possible Correlation Between Variability in Oral Proprioceptive Sensitivity and Variability in Upper Limb Kinesthetic Acuity
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
Any - 15 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
33
Start Date
2024-01-14
Completion Date
2024-12-14
Last Updated
2026-10-02
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Upper-Limb Kinesthetic Acuity Assessment
Participants performed a matching task with both forearms while their eyes were covered. One forearm was positioned by the examiner at a predetermined angle, and the participant moved the other forearm to match its perceived position. The angular position of both forearms was measured using digital inclinometers. The procedure was repeated five times for forearm flexion and five times for extension to assess the variability of upper-limb kinesthetic acuity.
Effect of Auditory Stimulation on Visual Perception
Participants underwent the Perceptive Maddox Test while receiving bilateral auditory stimulation consisting of simultaneous 500-Hz whistles presented through wireless headphones at approximately 50 dB. Five 10-second sequences were presented. Participants reported whether the red line disappeared completely or partially and, when applicable, indicated the location and changes in location of the visual loss. The occurrence and temporal and spatial characteristics of transient visual losses (visual pseudoscotomas) were recorded.
Oral Proprioceptive Sensitivity Assessment
The effect of oral proprioceptive stimulation on visual perception was assessed using the Perceptive Maddox Test in combination with auditory stimulation. Oral stimuli consisted of examiner-applied pressure to the vestibular surfaces of the incisors. When an oral stimulus produced a visual effect, calibrated pressure or traction was applied to the incisors using a dynamometer. The temporal and spatial characteristics of the visual response and the variability in the pressure or traction required were recorded.
Locations (1)
Hospital Odontològic UB
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain