Proprioceptive Acuity Assessment Via Joint Position Matching: From Basic Science to General Practice

Over the past several decades, studies of use-dependent plasticity have demonstrated a critical role for proprioceptive feedback in the reorganization, and subsequent recovery, of neuromotor systems. As such, an increasing emphasis has been placed on tests of proprioceptive acuity in both the clinic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical therapy Vol. 90; no. 8; pp. 1176 - 1184
Main Author Goble, Daniel J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Physical Therapy Association 01.08.2010
Oxford University Press
Subjects
Accuracy
Activities of Daily Living
Age Factors
Care and treatment
Diagnosis
Elbow Joint - physiology
Functional Laterality
Health aspects
Humans
Medical research
Methods
Neuromuscular diseases
Older people
Physical therapy
Posture - physiology
Proprioception - physiology
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
R&D
Reference Values
Research & development
Therapeutics, Physiological
Torque
United States
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Summary:Over the past several decades, studies of use-dependent plasticity have demonstrated a critical role for proprioceptive feedback in the reorganization, and subsequent recovery, of neuromotor systems. As such, an increasing emphasis has been placed on tests of proprioceptive acuity in both the clinic and the laboratory. One test that has garnered particular interest is joint position matching, whereby individuals must replicate a reference joint angle in the absence of vision (ie, using proprioceptive information). On the surface, this test might seem straightforward in nature. However, the present perspective article informs therapists and researchers alike of multiple insights gained from a recent series of position matching studies by the author and colleagues. In particular, 5 factors are outlined that can assist clinicians in developing well-informed opinions regarding the outcomes of tests of position matching abilities. This information should allow for enhanced diagnosis of proprioceptive deficits within clinical settings in the future.
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ISSN:0031-9023
1538-6724
1538-6724
DOI:10.2522/ptj.20090399