Effects of somatosensory-stimulating foot orthoses on postural balance in older adults: A computerized dynamic posturography analysis

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q3 NEUROSCIENCES

Gait & posture Pub Date : 2025-03-22 DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.016

Abu Jor , Chun Hei Lai , Mohammad Jobair Khan , Yufan He , Wing-Kai Lam , Stanley J. Winser , Fan Gao , Ming Zhang , Toshiki Kobayashi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Foot orthoses (FO) with protruding knobs designed to stimulate the mechanoreceptors on the glabrous skin of the foot have been proposed to enhance proprioception, thereby improving postural balance and stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of these FO with stimulating knobs on the postural balance in the elderly using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).

Research question

Do FO with stimulating knobs enhance postural balance in the elderly by improving scores related to sensory organization, motor control, and adaptation in response to different static and dynamic perturbation conditions?

Methods

Twenty-three healthy elderly participants performed the CDP, which includes Sensory Organization Test, Motor Control Test, and Adaptation Test in both flat FO and stimulating FO. The Bertec Balance Advantage System with force plates was employed to collect comprehensive CDP data.

Results

Our results indicated a significant improvement in the composite equilibrium score (MD=1.44, p = 0.048) and weight symmetry (MD=-1.85, p = 0.024) between the two limbs when using the stimulating FO compared to the flat FO condition. The latency and amplitude scaling during backward translation as well as sway energy during toes down perturbations were lower in females than males with stimulating FO (Latency: MD=-6.62, p = 0.044; Amplitude scaling: MD=-1.75, p = 0.011; Sway energy: MD=-40.08, p = 0.007).

Significance

These findings highlight the potential of stimulating FO to provide enhanced somatosensory feedback for better postural control and coordination, underscoring their potential clinical application in improving balance and sensory integration.

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体感刺激足部矫形器对老年人姿势平衡的影响：计算机化动态体位测量分析

脚部矫形器（FO）具有突出的旋钮，旨在刺激足部无毛皮肤上的机械感受器，以增强本体感觉，从而改善姿势平衡和稳定性。本研究旨在利用计算机动态姿势摄影（CDP）研究这些带有刺激旋钮的FO对老年人姿势平衡的影响。研究问题：在不同的静态和动态扰动条件下，带有刺激旋钮的FO是否通过提高感觉组织、运动控制和适应的相关分数来增强老年人的姿势平衡？方法对23名健康老年人进行感觉组织测试、运动控制测试和适应测试。采用Bertec平衡优势系统与力板收集全面的CDP数据。结果与平躺前肢相比，刺激后肢的综合平衡评分（MD=1.44, p = 0.048）和体重对称性（MD=-1.85, p = 0.024）均有显著改善。女性在后向平移时的潜伏期和振幅缩放以及脚趾向下扰动时的摇摆能量低于男性(潜伏期：MD=-6.62, p = 0.044；幅度缩放：MD=-1.75, p = 0.011；摇摆能量：MD=-40.08, p = 0.007)。这些发现强调了刺激前肢提供增强体感反馈以改善姿势控制和协调的潜力，强调了它们在改善平衡和感觉整合方面的潜在临床应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Gait & posture 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

616

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： Gait & Posture is a vehicle for the publication of up-to-date basic and clinical research on all aspects of locomotion and balance. The topics covered include: Techniques for the measurement of gait and posture, and the standardization of results presentation; Studies of normal and pathological gait; Treatment of gait and postural abnormalities; Biomechanical and theoretical approaches to gait and posture; Mathematical models of joint and muscle mechanics; Neurological and musculoskeletal function in gait and posture; The evolution of upright posture and bipedal locomotion; Adaptations of carrying loads, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs etc; spinal biomechanics only if they are directly related to gait and/or posture and are of general interest to our readers; The effect of aging and development on gait and posture; Psychological and cultural aspects of gait; Patient education.