Effects of Type II Diabetes on Proprioception during a Reach to Pinch Task

Abstract

Older adults with type II diabetes (T2D) are at risk of developing nerve disorders that result in functional impairment. Most work in proprioceptive dysfunction in older adults with T2D has focused on functional deficits of the lower limb. The purpose of this study was to examine proprioceptive effects of T2D on the upper limb in older adults. Kinematic performance of a reach-to-pinch action toward a virtual target was assessed in a T2D group (60+ years old with T2D) and a healthy age- and sex-matched control group. Tactile and vibratory thresholds did not differ between T2D and controls. Task accuracy via mean pinch location was significantly worse for persons with T2D (pwT2D) with differences in wrist extension/flexion (ex/fl), wrist abduction/adduction (ab/ad), 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) ab/ad, 2nd metacarpophalangeal (MCP2) ex/fl, MCP2 ab/ad, and digit 1 and hand transport trajectories. Group differences persisted with consideration of body mass index; sex differences in task accuracy emerged. Findings indicate that proprioception of the upper extremity is altered in pwT2D such that they exhibit a unique aperture position and aiming strategy during a reach-to-pinch action. These findings characterize functional sensorimotor impairment of the upper limb in pwT2D with respect to workspaces without visual or tactile feedback.

Keywords:

• aging processes
• kinematics
• virtual environments
• tactile
• motor control

Author contributions

Lauren I. Gulley Cox: 0000-0002-7232-7278; Contributions: study design, acquisition of data, analysis & interpretation of data, draft of article; final approval of version to be submitted. Nicholas Dias: 0000-0003-0811-6166; Contributions: acquisition of data, analysis & interpretation of data, revising of article; final approval of version to be submitted. Chuan Zhang: 0000-0003-0985-8364; Contributions: acquisition of data, analysis & interpretation of data, revising of article; final approval of version to be submitted. Yingchun Zhang: 0000-0002-1927-4103; Contributions: study design, interpretation of data, revising of article; final approval of version to be submitted. Stacey L. Gorniak: 0000-0002-8192-850X; Contributions: study conceptualization & design, interpretation of data, draft & revision of article; final approval of version to be submitted.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

De-identified data analyzed in this project can be provided upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by R01 CA200263 via subcontract to SLG and R56 AG080816 to SLG.