Age related changes in the sensitivity to vibration.

Vibrotactile detection thresholds were measured for five groups of subjects grouped according to age. The age span was eight to 74 years and the mean ages of the groups were 10, 20, 35, 50, and 65 years. Measurements were made on the thenar eminence of the right hand using sinusoidal wave forms at 11 frequencies. The results show a progressive decrease in sensitivity with age at high frequencies and no change at low (25 and 40 Hz) frequencies. The results are discussed within the context of the duplex model of mechanoreception and in terms of structural changes that occur with age in the cutaneous receptors.