Enhancing the static stability of older adults: A study on foot sole vibration intensities and locations

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q3 NEUROSCIENCES

Gait & posture Pub Date : 2025-04-26 DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.04.027

Yunqi Tang , Peiyao Liang , Pui Wah Kong , Hui Ren , Shizhe Cheng , Xinyue Li , Rong Wang , Meixi Li , Lin Guo , Yuhong Niu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Falls are a major public health concern for older adults, driven by age-related declines in somatosensory feedback which is critical for postural stability. Plantar vibratory stimulation may enhance balance, yet the optimal parameters remain unclear.

Research question

How may different foot sole vibration intensities and locations improve static stability in older adults?

Methods

Eighteen healthy older adults (aged 66.6 ± 3.1 years) received mechanical vibrations at 0 %, 90 %, and 130 % of their sensory threshold, applied to the forefoot & heel (F&H) and midfoot (MF) of both feet, in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Static stability was assessed using center of pressure (COP) metrics, including sway velocity, average sway amplitude, and sway area in the anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions.

Results

Compared to 0 %, both 90 % and 130 % intensities significantly reduced total sway velocity, AP sway velocity, ML sway velocity, and AP sway amplitude (p < 0.05) in the EO condition. In the EC condition, these effects persisted (p < 0.05), with the additional benefits of reduced ML sway amplitude and total sway area (p < 0.05), and no consistent differences between locations (F&H vs. MF).

Significance

Moderate vibration intensities enhance static stability across different foot sole locations, suggesting that footwear and insoles incorporating vibration may serve as potential strategies for fall prevention among older adults.

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增强老年人的静态稳定性：足底振动强度和位置的研究

老年人跌倒是一个主要的公共卫生问题，其原因是与年龄相关的体感反馈下降，而体感反馈对姿势稳定至关重要。足底振动刺激可能增强平衡，但最佳参数尚不清楚。研究问题：不同的脚底振动强度和位置如何改善老年人的静态稳定性？方法18例健康老年人（年龄66.6 ± 3.1岁）分别在其感觉阈值的0 %、90 %和130 %处接受机械振动；在睁眼（EO）和闭眼（EC）的情况下，双脚的脚后跟（F&；H）和足中部（MF）。采用压力中心（COP）指标评估静态稳定性，包括前后（AP）和中外侧（ML）方向的摆动速度、平均摆动幅度和摆动面积。结果与0 %相比，90 %和130 %强度显著降低了EO条件下的总摇摆速度、AP摇摆速度、ML摇摆速度和AP摇摆幅度（p <； 0.05）。在EC条件下，这些影响持续存在（p <； 0.05），还有ML摆动幅度和总摆动面积减少的额外好处（p <； 0.05），并且位置之间没有一致的差异（F&H vs. MF）。适度的振动强度增强了不同脚底位置的静态稳定性，这表明结合振动的鞋类和鞋垫可能是老年人预防跌倒的潜在策略。

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.