Table 2 Differences in sensitivity thresholds and taste as well as smell scores between groups (n = 30 in each group).

From: Age-related changes in oral sensitivity, taste and smell

 

Young participants

M (SD)

Older participants

M (SD)

p-value

Sensitivity threshold

Left side

1.88 mA (0.66)

2.42 mA (1.09)

0.025

Right side

1.88 mA (0.60)

2.33 mA (1.04)

0.048

Both sides (mean)

1.90 mA (0.59)

2.42 mA (1.03)

0.021

Taste score

11.83 (1.86)

8.53 (3.18)

 < 0.001

Sweet

3.53 (0.73)

2.63 (1.10)

 < 0.001

Salty

2.97 (0.89)

2.30 (1.26)

0.020

Sour

2.53 (0.57)

1.37 (1.16)

 < 0.001

Bitter

2.80 (1.10)

1.90 (1.47)

0.010

Smell score

11.13 (0.86)

9.3 (1.93)

 < 0.001

  1. Differences between groups were assessed using independent t tests. No differences were observed between the sensitivity threshold of the left and right side in the young, t(28) = 0.12, P = 0.904, or the older group, t(28) = 0.21, P = 0.833.
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