| Summary: | 碩士 === 長庚大學 === 職能治療學系 === 100 === This study was aimed to examine the kinesthetic sensitivity in young and elderly adults by using arm matching test, which was often used to measure kinesthesia in clinics. We also tried to figure out whether there was discrepancy between occupational therapists’ visual judgment and subjects’ verbal response. Right-handed young adults with age range 20~25 years old (N=40) and elder adults with age range 56~70 years old (N=22) were recruited in this study. Without vision, subjects were required to match the position and motion at five referenced angles in upper extremity. Based on clinical routine, we chose shoulder flexion 60° , shoulder horizontal abduction 60°, shoulder external rotation 30°, elbow flexion 45° and wrist extension 50° as our target angles. The absolute difference in angular displacement between referenced arm and testing arm was calculated to determine the kinesthetic sensitivity. Results showed that elder adults were less sensitive than young adults in both position and motion matching test. Proximal joints were more sensitive in perceiving passive position and motion than distal joints. There was no handedness effect in motion matching test in both groups. No difference was found between subjects’ verbal response and therapists’ perspective. To the best of our knowledge, the current study might be the first research to examine the reliability and validity of arm matching position and motion test used in clinics. The establishment of standard procedures and reliability is crucial for evidence-based practice in occupational therapy clinic.
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