ASSESSMENT OF SUPERFICIAL SENSITIVITY IN SENIOR POPULATION AFTER PARTICIPATION IN THE TAILORED PROGRAM OF BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION IN THE LIGHT OF GERONTO-PROPHYLAXIS

Abstract

Positive attitudes to old age and successful ageing are the trends in contemporary gerontology. Promotion of an active period of old age, the maintenance of cognitive and physical abilities in seniors as well as active participation in various activities and social roles are challenges and tasks for geronto-prophylaxis and psychosocial rehabilitation. The process of ageing, apart from its effect on the body systems and functions has also a marked effect on the perception of sensory stimuli. Sensitivity to touch decreases with age. The aim of the presented study was to show the effect of a tailored program of sensorimotor activation in seniors with different fitness levels on changes in touch sensation in the area of the arms. The main cognitive goal of the presented research project was an assessment of sensory stimuli perception on the completion of the biopsychosocial rehabilitation program using an esthesiometer.The sample included 51 seniors from two care units, aged 77.52 9.51 years. The assessment of superficial sensitivity perception in- volved the two-point discrimination approach using a wheel esthe- siometer (Touch Test-Two Point Discriminator). The study was conducted immediately before and after the application of the rehabilitation program.A significant improvement in sensory perception was noted on the finger bulbs of both hands within the studied senior population, re- gardless of the levels of psychophysical fitness and the social support center where they stayed. The following average values, corresponding to the changes in both hands, were obtained from: 6.6mm to 4.45 in the seniors from the Social Care Unit and from 6.35 to 4.2 in the seniors from the Senior Support (p<0.05). According to the norms for touch sensation (2-point discrimination) for the hand, before the start the level of sensation was satisfactory, below the norm limit, while after rehabilitation this level turned out to be good.The proposed program of biopsychosocial rehabilitation (activation of seniors undergoing hand treatment) fulfilled the settled cognitive and practical goals and was welcomed with great satisfaction and engagement by the beneficiaries In the case of senior rehabilitation the area of geronto-prophylaxis is oriented to the stimulation and improvement of sensory stimuli perception in the hands, using various manual forms of movement.