Impact of light toe touch support on postural stability in adults with and without chronic low back pain

IF 1.4 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-05-31 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106574

Paul Sung , Dongchul Lee , Connor Haab , Tristen McLean , Spencer Upton , Michael Woodruff

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Light toe touch by the contralateral foot may reflect adaptive postural control strategies; however, its role during unilateral standing in adults with chronic low back pain is not fully understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of light toe touch support on postural stability during repeated unilateral standing tasks in adults with and without low back pain.

Methods

The study included 28 adults with low back pain and 43 control subjects. Each participant performed a 10-s standing task on the dominant limb for two trials using a stable platform with additional support from a touch of the contralateral foot. Relative stability was assessed through the center of pressure sway excursions and analyzing time-in-boundary at thresholds of 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm.

Findings

In the back pain group, there was a significant increase in the number of light touches during the first trial (21.5 % compared to 11.5 % in the control group; F = 4.93, p = 0.03) and the second trial (17.3 % compared to 0.52 % in the control group; F = 8.64, p = 0.01). The groups demonstrated significant interaction on thresholds (F = 4.76, p = 0.03). There were significant differences across trials (F = 5.47, p = 0.02) and thresholds (F = 128.39, p < 0.001).

Interpretation

The low back pain group experienced challenges with unilateral standing, but utilizing light toe touch support significantly enhanced postural stability. Following the first trial, compensatory patterns were incorporated into balance strategies at 20 mm thresholds to reduce fall risks.

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轻脚趾触摸支持对有或无慢性腰痛的成人姿势稳定性的影响

背景：对侧脚轻触脚趾可能反映了自适应姿势控制策略；然而，它在成人慢性腰痛患者单侧站立时的作用尚不完全清楚。本研究旨在研究轻度脚趾触摸支持对有或无腰痛的成人反复单侧站立任务时姿势稳定性的影响。方法研究对象为28例腰痛患者和43例对照组。每个参与者在两个试验中使用一个稳定的平台，通过触摸对侧脚进行额外的支持，在主肢上完成10秒的站立任务。通过压力摇摆中心漂移和分析阈值为10mm、20mm、30mm和40mm的边界时间来评估相对稳定性。发现在背痛组中，第一次试验期间轻触次数显著增加(21.5%，对照组11.5%；F = 4.93, p = 0.03)和第二次试验(17.3%，对照组0.52%；F = 8.64, p = 0.01)。两组在阈值上表现出显著的相互作用（F = 4.76, p = 0.03）。试验间差异显著（F = 5.47, p = 0.02），阈值差异显著(F = 128.39, p <；0.001)。解释：腰痛组在单侧站立时遇到了挑战，但使用轻脚趾触摸支持可显著提高姿势稳定性。在第一次试验之后，补偿模式被纳入20毫米阈值的平衡策略，以减少跌倒风险。

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

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.