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

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.