Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part D (2020)

Methodology: Sample of convenience of 80 subjects were taken from community of jolly grant, Doiwala Bhaniyawala and Thano in which two groups were assessed by using cumulative sensory impairment scale. First group was experimental group with 40 subjects of age 60 year- 80 year who were community dwelling elderly subjects, and other group was control group with 40 subjects of age 20-40 year. After assessment nerve slider technique was given to the experimental group subjects, pre and post data were taken using cumulative sensory impairment scale as outcome assessment scale, also comparative analysis was done between control and experimental group.

Result: Significant changes were found on cumulative sensory impairment scale when both groups were compared. Vibration component was maximally affected with ageing followed by pressure, Proprioception and graphesthesia score respectively. Nerve slider technique was found to be beneficial in improving the scores of pressure, vibration, Proprioception and graphesthesia when assessed pre and post therapeutic treatment on cumulative sensory impairment scale.

Discussion: Nerve slider technique is a manual method of stretching the nerve by applying force to nerve structures through postures and multi-joint movements aiming to produce a sliding movement of neural structure relative to their adjacent tissues.

The improvement in the somatosensory component scores may be suggested due to increase in axonal transport of neural structures and improving the sliding of neural structures from its mechanical interface.

Conclusion: The study concluded that significant alteration do occur in pressure, vibration, Proprioception and graphesthesia sensation was present between community dwelling elderly individuals and younger age people. It also signifies alteration was present among pre and post value of somatosensory component which reflects the beneficial effects of nerve slider technique on somatosensory component.