Immediate Effects of Wearing Compression and Textured Materials on Plantar Tactile Sensitivity, Balance, and Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Evidence suggests that lower-limb stimulation strategies are designed to enhance somatosensory feedback by stimulating the plantar receptors. However, previous studies have focused on only a single sensory stimulation strategy in older adults. Combining two stimulation strategies might produce better results by boosting the sensorimotor signals in older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was twofold: first, to investigate the effects of the combined use of compression stockings and textured insoles on plantar touch sensitivity, balance, and mobility and to compare these results with each intervention applied separately and with a control intervention; second, to examine whether there was an improvement in plantar touch sensitivity compared with baseline.

Methods: This study assessed plantar tactile sensitivity, balance, and mobility in 24 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 72.4 ± 6.3 years) under four interventions: 1) compression socks with textured insoles, 2) compression socks with smooth insoles, 3) smooth socks with textured insoles, and 4) smooth socks with smooth insoles (control), all in the standard shoe. The Friedman test or repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare results.

Results: Each intervention had similar plantar tactile sensitivity, balance, and mobility parameters (P > .05). However, it was determined that only wearing compression socks caused an improvement in plantar tactile sensitivity compared with baseline (P < .05).

Conclusions: Compression socks could be beneficial in increasing somatosensory feedback in older adults, as compression socks increase plantar tactile sensitivity more than textured insoles.