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Tamboli A, Bhattad R. Effect of Foot Posture on Limits of Stability in Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024:99228241271399. [PMID: 39143672 DOI: 10.1177/00099228241271399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects musculoskeletal system causing altered balance control, which is governed by constant adjustments by muscular activity and joint positioning. Since the foot is the platform upon which we stand and balance, it is important to study and characterize foot posture abnormalities in CP to better understand their possible effect on multidirectional limits of stability (MDLS) in standing. Our aim was to find relation between foot posture and MDLS in diplegic children. Thirty diplegics (13 pes-planus and 17 pes-cavus) between the age of 6 to 14, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels I and II, whose parents consented were included in this study. Diplegics unable to stand unsupported for < 2 minutes, undergone lower-limb surgeries in 6 months, having visual impairments were excluded. Foot posture was assessed with arch index, MDLS were measured by GEAMASTER stabilometer. There was significant positive correlation between foot posture and limits of stability. Diplegic children having pes-planus have better MDLS as compared with pes-cavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshin Tamboli
- Department of Neurophysiotherapy, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation College of Physiotherapy, Pune, India
| | - Radha Bhattad
- Department of Neurophysiotherapy, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation College of Physiotherapy, Pune, India
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Yun S, Bae Y. Efficacy of plantar tactile sensation and balance in patients with subacute stroke following plantar kinesio taping: a randomized, cross-over preliminary study. Top Stroke Rehabil 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38986002 DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2024.2377519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kinesio tape (KT) is known to enhance tactile sensation. In stroke rehabilitation, KT is often used alongside conventional therapy (CT) to improve balance recovery. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plantar KT in enhancing plantar tactile sensation (PTS) and balance ability in subacute stroke patients. METHODS In this randomized crossover trial, 22 subacute stroke participants were randomly assigned to receive no taping, paretic plantar KT, or bilateral plantar KT, with a 24-h washout period between each condition. All participants underwent 30 min of CT. The primary outcome was PTS, involving tactile sensitivity in five areas on the plantar surface and the contact area with the ground of the paretic foot. The one-leg stand (OLS) time, functional reach test (FRT), and timed up-and-go test (TUG) were employed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS Paretic plantar KT application led to significant increases in the contact area, OLS, FRT, and TUG test times. Particularly, bilateral plantar KT showed significantly greater improvement in PTS compared to paretic plantar KT. Additionally, bilateral plantar KT significantly improved OLS (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.575), FRT (p < 0.001, η2 = 781), and TUG (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.771) times compared with paretic plantar KT. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that plantar KT improved PTS and balance ability in stroke rehabilitation. The findings suggest that bilateral plantar KT as an adjunct to CT may have a beneficial effect on balance recovery in patients with subacute stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trial KCT0009048.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongho Yun
- Department of Physical Therapy, Michuhol Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngsook Bae
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Shen P, Li S, Li L, Fong DTP, Mao D, Song Q. Balance Control is Sequentially Correlated with Proprioception, Joint Range of Motion, Strength, Pain, and Plantar Tactile Sensation Among Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2024; 10:70. [PMID: 38853218 PMCID: PMC11162994 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00735-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are at high risk for falls, which is attributed to their impaired balance control. Identifying factors associated with balance control facilitates the development of precise KOA rehabilitation programs. This study was to investigate the correlations of balance control with proprioception, plantar tactile sensation (PTS), pain, joint range of motion (ROM), and strength among older adults with and without KOA, as well as the magnitudes and sequence of correlation of these factors to balance control. METHODS A total of 240 older adults with (n = 124, female: 84, age: 68.8 ± 4.0 years) and without (n = 116, female: 64, age: 67.9 ± 3.5 years) KOA were recruited and assigned to the KOA and control groups. Their proprioception, PTS, pain, ROM, and strength were measured. Pearson or Spearman correlations were used to test whether they were significantly related to their Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and factor analysis and multivariate linear regression were used to determine the degrees of correlation between each factor and the BBS. RESULTS Compared to the control group, the KOA group had lower BBS score, larger proprioception and PTS thresholds, smaller ROM, and less strength (p: 0.008, < 0.001-0.016, < 0.001-0.005, < 0.001-0.014, and < 0.001-0.002, respectively). In the KOA group, the BBS was weakly to moderately correlated with proprioception, PTS, pain, ROM, and strength (r: 0.332-0.501, 0.197-0.291, 0.340, 0.212-0.508, and 0.236-0.336, respectively). While in the control group, the BBS was correlated with proprioception and strength (r: 0.207-0.379, and 0.212-0.410). In the KOA group, BBS = 54.41+ (0.668*strength) - (0.579*PTS) - (1.141*proprioception) + (1.054* ROM) - (0.339*pain). While in the control group, BBS = 53.85+ (0.441*strength) - (0.677*proprioception). CONCLUSION Worse proprioception and PTS, smaller ROM, and less strength were detected among older adults with KOA, and their proprioception, PTS, pain, ROM, and strength were all related to balance control. Proprioception had the strongest correlations, followed by ROM, strength, pain, and PTS. Precise KOA rehabilitation programs may be proposed following the sequence of improving the five factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Shen
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, 250102, China
| | - Simin Li
- Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Li Li
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 30460, USA
| | - Daniel T P Fong
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Dewei Mao
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, 250102, China
| | - Qipeng Song
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, 250102, China.
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Kahveci A, Cengiz BC, Alcan V, Gürses S, Zinnuroğlu M. The effect of foot somatosensory loss in postural control during Functional reach test in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy: A controlled study. Foot (Edinb) 2024; 59:102097. [PMID: 38615395 DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2024.102097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), differences in postural control due to losing the lower limb somatosensory information were reported. However, it is still unclear by which mechanisms the dynamic postural instability is caused. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate postural control differences and neuromuscular adaptations resulting from foot somatosensory loss due to DPN. METHODS In this controlled cross-sectional study, fourteen DPN patients and fourteen healthy controls performed the Functional Reach Test (FRT) as a dynamic task. The postural control metrics were simultaneously measured using force plate, motion capture system, and surface electromyography (sEMG). The main metrics including reach length (FR), FR to height ratio (FR/H), displacement of CoM and CoP, moment arm (MA), and arch height ratio. Also, kinematic (range of motion of ankle, knee, and hip joints), and sEMG metrics (latencies and root mean square amplitudes of ankle and hallux muscles) were measured. To compare variables between groups, the independent sample T-test for (normally distributed) and the Mann-Whitney U test (non-normally distributed) were used. RESULTS The subjects' reach length (FR), FR to height ratio, absolute MA, and displacement of CoM were significantly shorter than controls, while displacement of CoP was not significant. Arch height ratio was found significantly lower in DPN patients. We observed that CoM was lagging CoP in patients (MA = + 0.89) while leading in controls (MA = -1.60). Although, the muscles of patients showed significantly earlier activation, root mean square sEMG amplitudes were found similar. Also, DPN patients showed significantly less hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle plantar flexion. CONCLUSIONS This study presented that decreasing range of motion at lower limbs' joints and deterioration in foot function caused poor performance at motor execution during FRT in DPN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulvahap Kahveci
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey; Division of Rheumatology, Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital, Kastamonu, Turkey.
| | - Berat Can Cengiz
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Veysel Alcan
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Tarsus University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Senih Gürses
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Murat Zinnuroğlu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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Yamashita T, Yamashita K, Sato M, Ata S. Improvement of postural control in the frail older adults through foot care: A pre- and post-intervention study. Med Eng Phys 2024; 125:104115. [PMID: 38508791 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Frailty in older adults often leads to foot issues, increasing fall-related fracture risk. Mechanoreceptors, the pressure receptors in the foot sole, are pivotal for postural control. Foot problems can impair mechanoreceptor function, compromising balance. This study aimed to examine the effect of foot care on postural control in frail older adults. Forty-eight participants underwent a five-month monthly foot care intervention. Measurements were taken before and after this intervention. Participants stood for 45 s in a static, open-eyed position on a stabilometer. Center-of-pressure (CoP) analysis included total trajectory length, integrated triangle area, rectangular area, and range of motion in anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions. Results indicated that foot care significantly increased toe ground contact area by 1.3 times and improved anterior-posterior motion control during static standing. Enhanced postural control resulted from improved skin condition due to foot care that intensified mechanoreceptor signal input and improved postural control output. These findings underscore the potential for reducing fracture risks in older adults through proactive foot care. The study highlights the vital role of foot care in enhancing postural control, with broader implications for aging population well-being and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Yamashita
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Human Care at Makuhari, Tohto University, 1-1 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0021, Japan; Graduate School of Informatics, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Yamashita
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Human Care at Makuhari, Tohto University, 1-1 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0021, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Sato
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Gunma Paz University, 1-7-1 Tonya-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0006, Japan
| | - Shingo Ata
- Graduate School of Informatics, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
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Vermette MJ, Prince F, Bherer L, Messier J. Concentrating to avoid falling: interaction between peripheral sensory and central attentional demands during a postural stability limit task in sedentary seniors. GeroScience 2024; 46:1181-1200. [PMID: 37482601 PMCID: PMC10828328 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests falls and postural instabilities among seniors are attributed to a decline in both the processing of afferent signals (e.g., proprioceptive, vestibular) and attentional resources. We investigated the interaction between the non-visual and attentional demands of postural control in sedentary seniors. Old and young adults performed a postural stability limit task involving a maximal voluntary leaning movement with and without vision as well as a cognitive-attentional subtraction task. These tasks were performed alone (single-task) or simultaneously (dual-task) to vary the sensory-attentional demands. The functional limits of stability were quantified as the maximum center of pressure excursion during voluntary leaning. Seniors showed significantly smaller limits of postural stability compared to young adults in all sensory-attentional conditions. However, surprisingly, both groups of subjects reduced their stability limits by a similar amount when vision was removed. Furthermore, they similarly decreased their anterior-posterior stability limits when concurrently performing the postural and the cognitive-attentional tasks with vision. The overall average cognitive performance of young adults was higher than seniors and was only slightly affected during dual-tasking. In contrast, older adults markedly degraded their cognitive performance from the single- to the dual-task situations, especially when vision was unavailable. Thus, their dual-task costs were higher than those of young adults and increased in the eyes-closed condition, when postural control relied more heavily on non-visual sensory signals. Our findings provide the first evidence that as posture approaches its stability limits, sedentary seniors allot increasingly large cognitive attentional resources to process critical sensory inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Julie Vermette
- École de Kinésiologie et des Sciences de l'Activité Physique (EKSAP), Université de Montréal, 2100 Boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC, H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - François Prince
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, CP6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Louis Bherer
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC, H3W 1W5, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Messier
- École de Kinésiologie et des Sciences de l'Activité Physique (EKSAP), Université de Montréal, 2100 Boul. Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC, H3W 1W5, Canada.
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Heß T, Themann P, Oehlwein C, Milani TL. Does Impaired Plantar Cutaneous Vibration Perception Contribute to Axial Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease? Effects of Medication and Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1681. [PMID: 38137129 PMCID: PMC10742284 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether impaired plantar cutaneous vibration perception contributes to axial motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and whether anti-parkinsonian medication and subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) show different effects. METHODS Three groups were evaluated: PD patients in the medication "on" state (PD-MED), PD patients in the medication "on" state and additionally "on" STN-DBS (PD-MED-DBS), as well as healthy subjects (HS) as reference. Motor performance was analyzed using a pressure distribution platform. Plantar cutaneous vibration perception thresholds (VPT) were investigated using a customized vibration exciter at 30 Hz. RESULTS Motor performance of PD-MED and PD-MED-DBS was characterized by greater postural sway, smaller limits of stability ranges, and slower gait due to shorter strides, fewer steps per minute, and broader stride widths compared to HS. Comparing patient groups, PD-MED-DBS showed better overall motor performance than PD-MED, particularly for the functional limits of stability and gait. VPTs were significantly higher for PD-MED compared to those of HS, which suggests impaired plantar cutaneous vibration perception in PD. However, PD-MED-DBS showed less impaired cutaneous vibration perception than PD-MED. CONCLUSIONS PD patients suffer from poor motor performance compared to healthy subjects. Anti-parkinsonian medication in tandem with STN-DBS seems to be superior for normalizing axial motor symptoms compared to medication alone. Plantar cutaneous vibration perception is impaired in PD patients, whereas anti-parkinsonian medication together with STN-DBS is superior for normalizing tactile cutaneous perception compared to medication alone. Consequently, based on our results and the findings of the literature, impaired plantar cutaneous vibration perception might contribute to axial motor symptoms in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Heß
- Department of Human Locomotion, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Peter Themann
- Department of Neurology and Parkinson, Clinic at Tharandter Forest, 09633 Halsbruecke, Germany
| | - Christian Oehlwein
- Neurological Outpatient Clinic for Parkinson Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation, 07551 Gera, Germany
| | - Thomas L. Milani
- Department of Human Locomotion, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
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Debenham MIB, Bruce CD, Rancier JM, McNeil CJ, Dalton BH. Normobaric hypoxia does not influence the sural nerve cutaneous reflex during standing. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:2683-2692. [PMID: 37805648 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06711-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia increases postural sway compared to normoxia, but the underlying sensorimotor factors remain unclear. An important contributor to balance control is cutaneous feedback arising from the feet, which can be partially characterized by electrically evoking a reflex from a purely cutaneous nerve (i.e., sural) and sampling the subsequent motor activity of a muscle. The purpose of the present study was to determine how normobaric hypoxia influences sural nerve reflex parameters during a standing posture. It was hypothesized that normobaric hypoxia would reduce cutaneous reflex area compared to normoxia. Participants (n = 16; 5 females, 11 males) stood with their feet together while receiving two trials of 50 sural nerve stimulations (200-Hz, 5-pulse train, presented randomly every 3-6 s) at baseline (BL; normoxia), and at 2 (H2) and 4 (H4) h of normobaric hypoxia (~ 0.11 fraction of inspired oxygen in a hypoxic chamber). The sural nerve reflex was recorded using surface electromyography from the left medial gastrocnemius, and characterized by area and duration of the initial positive and negative peaks of the response. When normalized to pre-stimulus electromyography, the area of the peak-to-peak cutaneous reflex was not different than BL (p ≥ 0.14) for up to 4 h of normobaric hypoxia (BL: 0.26 ± 0.22, H2: 0.19 ± 0.19, H4: 0.22 ± 0.20 A.U.). Furthermore, the duration of the response was not different during hypoxia (BL: 73.2 ± 42.4; H2: 75.2 ± 47.0; H4: 77.6 ± 54.6 ms; p ≥ 0.13) than BL. Thus, reflexes arising from cutaneous afferents of the lateral border of the foot are resilient to at least 4 h of normobaric hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew I B Debenham
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Christina D Bruce
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Juliana M Rancier
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Chris J McNeil
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Brian H Dalton
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
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Sawaguchi Y, Kawasaki T, Hiraoka K. Effect of Moving Tactile Stimuli to Mimic Altered Weight Distribution During Gait on Quiet Stance Body Sway. Percept Mot Skills 2023; 130:2547-2563. [PMID: 37694874 DOI: 10.1177/00315125231197840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Our purpose in the present study was to examine whether moving tactile stimuli to the sole to mimic moving weight distribution over the feet during gait would influence body sway in quiet stance. Fifteen healthy males maintained the quiet stance, and we delivered moving tactile stimuli to mimic the change in their weight distribution during gait. Moving tactile stimuli did not change the length of the center of pressure (COP) displacement and COP position. Vision decreased the length of the COP, but it did not interact with moving tactile stimuli for the COP length and position. The COP position rhythmically moved in the medial-lateral axis along with the cycle of moving tactile stimuli. The COP was at the lateral peak position at the period at which moving tactile stimuli mimicked the weight distribution in the transition between the swing and stance phases of the gait cycle. This finding may indicate that the body is positioned at the lateral peak position in quiet stance when people perceive the sensation of weight distribution over the feet at the most unstable phase of the gait cycle. We suggest that moving tactile stimuli to the sole may induce medial-lateral body sway before gait initiation for patients with Parkinson's disease to improve their freezing of gait initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Sawaguchi
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino, Japan
| | - Taku Kawasaki
- Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Habikino, Japan
| | - Koichi Hiraoka
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Habikino, Japan
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Alammari BJ, Lee Y, Aruin AS. The effect of a contralateral foot touch on stability of one-leg stance in young adults: an exploratory study. Somatosens Mot Res 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37965723 DOI: 10.1080/08990220.2023.2280541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies demonstrated that providing light finger touch to a stationary object leads to reduced body sway. The focus of the current exploratory study was on the investigation of postural sway during one-leg stance when light touch is provided by the contralateral foot. METHODS Eleven healthy young adults participated in the study. They stood on the top of the force platform with eyes open and on their dominant leg with no touch and with a touch from the contralateral foot applied to the stance leg. Medial arch, heel, and big toe of the contralateral foot were used to touch the medial malleolus or mid shank of the stance leg. The excursion, velocity, and sway area of the centre of pressure were obtained and analysed. RESULTS Standing with light touch from the contralateral foot to the medial malleolus resulted in significantly smaller postural sway as compared to standing with no touch (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the study outcomes between conditions of standing with a touch applied by the medial arch, heel, or big toe to the stance leg. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study suggest that the application of light touch provided by a contralateral foot could be an effective strategy for enhancing body stability when no external support is available. The study outcome provides a foundation for future studies exploring ways to enhance balance control during one-leg stance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balsam J Alammari
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yunju Lee
- School of Engineering and Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Alexander S Aruin
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Tang Y, Li X, Li Y, Liang P, Guo X, Zhang C, Kong PW. Effects of textured insoles and elastic braces on dynamic stability in patients with functional ankle instability. J Foot Ankle Res 2023; 16:59. [PMID: 37705053 PMCID: PMC10498520 DOI: 10.1186/s13047-023-00662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common condition that affects individuals who have experienced previous ankle sprains. Textured insoles and elastic ankle braces have been previously used as interventions to improve stability in FAI patients. However, the optimal combination of these interventions has not been fully explored. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of textured insoles and elastic ankle braces on the dynamic stability of individuals diagnosed with FAI. METHODS The study involved 18 FAI patients who performed single-leg landing tasks with and without wearing an eight-band elastic ankle brace while wearing textured insoles with protrusion heights of 0 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. The dynamic posture stability index (DPSI) and its components in the anterior-posterior (APSI), mediolateral (MLSI) and vertical (VSI) directions were calculated from the ground reaction force collected from the Kistler force plate during the first three seconds of the landing tasks. RESULTS A significant interaction was found between textured insole type and ankle brace for DPSI (P = 0.026), APSI (P = 0.001), and VSI (P = 0.021). However, no significant interaction was observed for MLSI (P = 0.555). With elastic ankle braces, textured insoles with 1-mm protrusions significantly enhanced anterior-posterior, mediolateral, vertical, and overall stability compared to textured insoles with no and 2 mm protrusions (P < 0.05). Without elastic ankle braces, textured insoles with 1-mm protrusions significantly improved the anterior-posterior (P = 0.012) and overall stability (P = 0.014) of FAI patients compared to smooth insoles. CONCLUSIONS The combination of textured insoles with 1-mm protrusion heights and an elastic ankle brace could enhance the dynamic stability of individuals with FAI, potentially mitigating the risk of ankle sprains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqi Tang
- College of Art and Design, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi 'an, 710021, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- College of Art and Design, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi 'an, 710021, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi 'an, 710054, China
| | - Peiyao Liang
- College of Art and Design, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi 'an, 710021, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- College of Art and Design, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi 'an, 710021, China
| | - Cui Zhang
- Sport biomechanics lab, Shandong Institute of Sports Science, Jinan, 250014, China
- Graduate School of Shandong Physical Education University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Pui Wah Kong
- Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637616, Singapore.
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12
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Singh AK, Singh MS, Makhija M. Role of interventions targeting plantar cutaneous receptors in improving postural control in chronic ankle instability: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Foot (Edinb) 2023; 56:102034. [PMID: 37236131 DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2023.102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a disorder that occurs after one or more acute ankle sprains and is characterised by persistent symptoms which include episodes of ''giving way'' a sensation of instability, recurrent ankle sprains, and functional deficits. Despite of effective treatment strategies a comprehensive approach is needed that can break this continuum of disability and improve the postural control. A systematic review with meta-analysis assessing the effectiveness of interventions targeting plantar cutaneous receptors for improving postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability. METHODS The systematic review with meta-analysis was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Outcome measure used to evaluate the improvement in which static postural control was assessed on SLBT (Single limb balance test) and COP (Centre of pressure) whereas dynamic postural control was assessed on SEBT (star excursion balance test) and scores expressed as mean ± SD and random-effects model were performed, and heterogeneity between the studies was calculated using the I2 statistic. RESULTS A total of 168 CAI populations were included among the 8 selected studies in the meta-analysis. In which,5 studies using Plantar massage and 3 studies using foot insole were assessed, with moderate to high quality on the Pedro scale (range 4-7). For single and six-sessions of plantar massage showed insignificant effect on SLBT COP and for the single session of custom moulded FO showed insignificant effect on SEBT. CONCLUSION The meta-analysis showed non-significant pooled results for plantar massage and foot orthotics on static and dynamic postural control when assessed on postural outcome measures. Further high-quality evidence-based trials would be required to highlight the importance of sensory targeted approaches to treat the postural instability in CAI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Kumar Singh
- Department of Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist,Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India
| | - Maninder Shah Singh
- Department of Orthopaedics, MBBS, MS Orthopaedic Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India
| | - Meena Makhija
- Department of Rehabilitation, Associate Professor, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India.
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13
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Ghorbani M, Yaali R, Sadeghi H, Luczak T. The effect of foot posture on static balance, ankle and knee proprioception in 18-to-25-year-old female student: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:547. [PMID: 37403076 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06678-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & PURPOSE Afferent input from the sole affects postural stability. Cutaneous reflexes from the foot are important to posture and gait. Lower-limb afferents alone provide enough information to maintain upright stance and are critical in perceiving postural sway. Altered feedback from propreoceptive receptors alters gait and patterns of muscle activation. The position and posture of the foot and ankle may also play an important role in proprioceptive input.Therefore, the current research aims to compare static balance and ankle and knee proprioception in people with and without flexible flatfeet. METHODOLOGY 91 female students between the ages of 18 and 25 voluntarily participated in this study, of which 24 were in the flexible flatfoot group and 67 were in the regular foot group after evaluating the longitudinal arch of the foot. The position sense of ankle and knee joints were measured using the active reconstruction test of the ankle and knee angle; Static balance was measured using the Sharpened Romberg test. Data were non-normally distributed. Accordingly, non-parametric tests were applied. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare differences between groups in variables. RESULT Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between two groups of flat feet and normal feet in the variables of static balance and position sense of ankle plantarflexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and knee flexion (p ≤ 0.05). A significant correlation was found between static balance and sense of ankle and knee position in the group with normal feet. The analysis of the regression line also showed that ankle and knee position sense could predict the static balance score in the regular foot group (ankle dorsiflexion position sense 17% (R2 = 0.17), ankle plantarflexion position sense 17% (R2 = 0.17) and knee flexion position sense 46% (R2 = 0.46) explain of changes in static balance). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION Flexible flatfoot soles can cause loss of balance and sense of joint position; therefore, according to this preliminary study, clinicians must be aware and should take into account this possible deficit in the management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghorbani
- Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Yaali
- Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Sadeghi
- Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tony Luczak
- NSPARC, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA
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14
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Cleland LD, Rowland HM, Mazzà C, Saal HP. Complexity of spatio-temporal plantar pressure patterns during everyday behaviours. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230052. [PMID: 37376872 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human foot sole is the primary interface with the external world during balance and walking, and also provides important tactile information on the state of contact. However, prior studies on plantar pressure have focused mostly on summary metrics such as overall force or centre of pressure under limited conditions. Here, we recorded spatio-temporal plantar pressure patterns with high spatial resolution while participants completed a wide range of daily activities, including balancing, locomotion and jumping tasks. Contact area differed across task categories, but was only moderately correlated with the overall force experienced by the foot sole. The centre of pressure was often located outside the contact area or in locations experiencing relatively low pressure, and therefore a result of disparate contact regions spread widely across the foot. Non-negative matrix factorization revealed low-dimensional spatial complexity that increased during interaction with unstable surfaces. Additionally, pressure patterns at the heel and metatarsals decomposed into separately located and robustly identifiable components, jointly capturing most variance in the signal. These results suggest optimal sensor placements to capture task-relevant spatial information and provide insight into how pressure varies spatially on the foot sole during a wide variety of natural behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D Cleland
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Holly M Rowland
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Claudia Mazzà
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hannes P Saal
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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15
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Jones SL, van Emmerik REA. Impaired foot vibration sensitivity is related to altered plantar pressures during walking in people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 75:104767. [PMID: 37216882 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Balance and mobility impairment are two of the most common and debilitating symptoms among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Somatosensory symptoms, including reduced plantar cutaneous sensation, have been identified in this cohort. Given the importance of the somatosensory system in gait, it is likely that impaired plantar sensation may play a role in the walking adaptations commonly observed in people with MS, including decreased stride length and increased stride width and dual support time, often described as a cautious gait strategy. Understanding the contributions of plantar sensation to these alterations may provide targets for interventions that seek to improve sensory feedback and normalize gait patterns. This cross-sectional study determined whether individuals with MS who demonstrate reduced sensitivity of the plantar surfaces also demonstrate altered plantar pressure distributions during walking compared to a control cohort. METHODS Twenty individuals with MS and twenty age- and sex-matched control participants walked barefoot at preferred and three matched speeds. Participants walked across a walkway with an embedded pressure plate used to quantify pressures within ten plantar zones. In addition, vibration perception thresholds were assessed at four sites on the plantar surface. RESULTS Individuals with MS demonstrated increased peak total plantar pressures compared to control participants, that increased with walking speed. For the MS group, plantar pressures were higher on the less sensitive foot, although pressures on both feet exceeded those of the control cohort. Positive correlations between vibration perception threshold and peak total pressure were evident, although generally stronger in the MS cohort. CONCLUSION A relationship between plantar vibration sensitivity and pressure could indicate that individuals with MS seek to increase plantar sensory feedback during walking. However, because proprioception may also be impaired, increased plantar pressure could result from inaccurate foot placement. Interventions targeting improved somatosensation may have the potential to normalize gait patterns and should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Jones
- Department of Kinesiology, 110 Totman Building, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, MA 01003-9258, USA; Department of Exercise and Sport Studies, 410 Scott Gym, Smith College, 102 Lower College Lane, Northampton, MA 01063, USA.
| | - Richard E A van Emmerik
- Department of Kinesiology, 110 Totman Building, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, MA 01003-9258, USA
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16
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Markowicz M, Skrobot W, Łabuć A, Poszytek P, Orlikowska A, Perzanowska E, Krasowska K, Drewek K, Kaczor JJ. The Rehabilitation Program Improves Balance Control in Children with Excessive Body Weight and Flat Feet by Activating the Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot: A Preliminary Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12103364. [PMID: 37240471 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12103364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND determining the appropriate rehabilitation protocol is essential to influence the correction of flat feet, e.g., by activating the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of the exercises activating the intrinsic foot muscles for postural control in children with flat feet, with normal and excessive body weight. METHODS Fifty-four children aged 7 to 12 were enrolled in the research. Forty-five children were qualified for the final evaluation. Each child in the experimental group was demonstrated an appropriate technique for performing a short foot exercise without compensation by extrinsic muscle. The participants then performed a supervised short foot training session once a week and on other days of the week under the supervision of caregivers for 6 weeks. Flat feet were scored on the foot posture index scale. A postural test was evaluated with a Biodex balance system SD. Statistical significance in the foot posture index scale and postural test were evaluated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post-hoc test. RESULTS according to the six indices of the foot posture index scale, five indicators showed statistically significant improvement after rehabilitation. At the 8-12 platform mobility level, it was revealed that the excessive body weight group had significant improvements in the overall stability index and medio-lateral stability index, with eyes closed. CONCLUSION our results indicate that a 6-week rehabilitation program based on the activation of the intrinsic muscles of the foot resulted in an improvement in the foot position. This, in turn, affected balance control, especially in children with excess body weight in conditions of closed eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Markowicz
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Skrobot
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Łabuć
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Paulina Poszytek
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Orlikowska
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ewelina Perzanowska
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Krasowska
- Department of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Konrad Drewek
- Cathedral and Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jan J Kaczor
- Division of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
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Hu S, Ma X, Ma X, Sun W, Zhou Z, Chen Y, Song Q. Relationship of strength, joint kinesthesia, and plantar tactile sensation to dynamic and static postural stability among patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1112708. [PMID: 36744033 PMCID: PMC9889938 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1112708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Postural stability is essential for high-level physical activities after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of muscle strength, joint kinesthesia, and plantar tactile sensation to dynamic and static postural stability among patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods: Forty-four patients over 6 months post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (age: 27.9 ± 6.8 years, height: 181.7 ± 8.7 cm, weight: 80.6 ± 9.4 kg, postoperative duration: 10.3 ± 3.6 months) participated in this study. Their static and dynamic postural stability, muscle strength, hamstring/quadriceps ratio, joint kinesthesia, and plantar tactile sensation were measured. Partial correlations were used to determine the correlation of the above-mentioned variables with time to stabilization (TTS) and root mean square of the center of pressure (COP-RMS) in anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. Results: Both TTSAP and TTSML were related to muscle strength and joint kinesthesia of knee flexion and extension; COP-RMSAP was correlated with plantar tactile sensations at great toe and arch, while COP-RMSML was correlated with joint kinesthesia of knee flexion, and plantar tactile sensation at great toe and heel. Dynamic stability was sequentially correlated with strength and joint kinesthesia, while static stability was sequentially correlated with plantar tactile sensation and joint kinesthesia. Conclusion: Among patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, strength is related to dynamic postural stability, joint kinesthesia is related to dynamic and static postural stability, and plantar tactile sensation is related to static postural stability. Strength has a higher level of relationship to dynamic stability than joint kinesthesia, and plantar tactile sensation has a higher level of relationship to static stability than joint kinesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Hu
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Ma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhou
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Qipeng Song
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Qipeng Song,
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18
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Debenham MIB, Kang HJ, Cheung SS, Dalton BH. The influence of reduced foot dorsum cutaneous sensitivity on the vestibular control of balance. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:65-79. [PMID: 36169737 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-05043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Foot sole cooling increases vestibular-evoked balance responses, but less is known about foot dorsum temperature alterations. The purpose was to determine whether decreasing cutaneous receptor sensitivity via foot dorsum cooling modulates the vestibular control of balance. METHODS Eighteen participants (9 males; 9 females) stood quietly on a force plate with feet together, eyes closed, and head rotated leftward during 4, 90-s trials (2 control; 2 cooled) of continuous electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS). Icepacks placed on the dorsum of both feet for 15 min induced cooling and remained throughout the EVS trials. Monofilament testing was performed at multiple locations before and after cooling to determine tactile detection thresholds. T-type thermocouples monitored skin temperature over the tibialis anterior, soleus, foot dorsum and arch of the right leg. Vestibular-evoked balance responses were characterized using time (cumulant density) and frequency (coherence and gain) domain analyses to determine the relationship between the EVS input and motor output (anteroposterior force-AP force; right medial gastrocnemius electromyography-MG EMG). RESULTS Skin temperature of the foot dorsum and arch decreased ~ 70 and 15%, respectively during cooling (p < 0.05), but was unaltered at other locations (p ≥ 0.10). Detection thresholds for the foot dorsum increased following cooling (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, cooling reduced EVS-AP force and EVS-MG EMG coherence and gain at multiple frequencies, and peak-to-peak amplitude compared to control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that vestibular-driven balance responses are reduced following foot dorsum cooling, likely owing to alterations in cutaneous mechanoreceptor sensitivity and subsequent alterations in the transformation of vestibular cues for balance control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew I B Debenham
- Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics Lab, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Hogun J Kang
- Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics Lab, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen S Cheung
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Brian H Dalton
- Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics Lab, Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
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Sun M, Zhang F, Lewis K, Song Q, Li L. The Impact of Hoffmann Reflex on Standing Postural Control Complexity in the Elderly with Impaired Plantar Sensation. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 25:64. [PMID: 36673205 PMCID: PMC9857425 DOI: 10.3390/e25010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In people with peripheral neuropathy (PN), impaired plantar sensation can cause adaptive changes in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in changes in the standing postural control, which is reflected in the variability of standing output signals. Standard deviation (SD) and entropy are reliable indicators of system variability, especially since entropy is highly sensitive to diseased populations. The relation between SD and entropy, CNS and center of pressure (COP) variability is unclear for people with severe PN. The purpose of this study was to explore the adaptability of the CNS to the severe of PN and its effect on the degree and complexity of COP variability. Here, people with PN were divided into less affected (LA) and more affected (MA) groups based on plantar pressure sensitivity. We studied Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) and standing balance performance with the control group (n = 8), LA group (n = 10), and MA group (n = 9), recording a 30 s COP time series (30,000 samples) of double-leg standing with eyes open. We observed that the more affected group had less COP complexity than people without PN. There is a significant negative correlation between the SD and sample entropy in people without PN, less affected and more affected. The COP complexity in people without PN was inversely correlated with H-reflex. We concluded that: (1) The complexity of COP variability in patients with severe plantar sensory impairment is changed, which will not affect the degree of COP variability; (2) The independence of the COP entropy in the AP and ML directions decreased, and the interdependence increased in people with PN; (3) Although the CNS of people with PN has a greater contribution to standing balance, its modulation of standing postural control is decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzi Sun
- School of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - Fangtong Zhang
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kelsey Lewis
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - Qipeng Song
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Shandong Sport University, Jinan 276826, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
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20
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Katic N, Siqueira RK, Cleland L, Strzalkowski N, Bent L, Raspopovic S, Saal H. Modeling foot sole cutaneous afferents: FootSim. iScience 2022; 26:105874. [PMID: 36636355 PMCID: PMC9829801 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While walking and maintaining balance, humans rely on cutaneous feedback from the foot sole. Electrophysiological recordings reveal how this tactile feedback is represented in neural afferent populations, but obtaining them is difficult and limited to stationary conditions. We developed the FootSim model, a realistic replication of mechanoreceptor activation in the lower limb. The model simulates neural spiking responses to arbitrary mechanical stimuli from the combined population of all four types of mechanoreceptors innervating the foot sole. It considers specific mechanics of the foot sole skin tissue, and model internal parameters are fitted using human microneurography recording dataset. FootSim can be exploited for neuroscientific insights, to understand the overall afferent activation in dynamic conditions, and for overcoming the limitation of currently available recording techniques. Furthermore, neuroengineers can use the model as a robust in silico tool for neuroprosthetic applications and for designing biomimetic stimulation patterns starting from the simulated afferent neural responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Katic
- School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
- The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, University of Belgrade, 11 060 Belgrade, Serbia
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo Kazu Siqueira
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UK
| | - Luke Cleland
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UK
| | | | - Leah Bent
- Neurophysiology Lab, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stanisa Raspopovic
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Corresponding author
| | - Hannes Saal
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 2LT, UK
- Corresponding author
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Oddsson LIE, Bisson T, Cohen HS, Iloputaife I, Jacobs L, Kung D, Lipsitz LA, Manor B, McCracken P, Rumsey Y, Wrisley DM, Koehler-McNicholas SR. Extended effects of a wearable sensory prosthesis on gait, balance function and falls after 26 weeks of use in persons with peripheral neuropathy and high fall risk—The walk2Wellness trial. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:931048. [PMID: 36204554 PMCID: PMC9531134 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.931048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We recently reported that individuals with impaired plantar sensation and high fall risk due to sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) improved gait and balance function following 10 weeks of use of Walkasins®, a wearable lower limb sensory prosthesis that provides directional specific mechanical tactile stimuli related to plantar pressure measurements during standing and walking (RxFunction Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, United States). Here, we report 26-week outcomes and compare pre- and in-study fall rates. We expected improvements in outcomes and reduced fall rates reported after 10 weeks of use to be sustained. Materials and methods Participants had clinically diagnosed PN with impaired plantar sensation, high fall risk (Functional Gait Assessment, FGA score < 23) and ability to sense tactile stimuli above the ankle at the location of the device. Additional outcomes included 10 m Gait Speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four-Stage Balance Test, and self-reported outcomes, including Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale and Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. Participants tracked falls using a calendar. Results We assessed falls and self-reported outcomes from 44 individuals after 26 weeks of device use; 30 of them conducted in-person testing of clinical outcomes. Overall, improvements in clinical outcomes seen at 10 weeks of use remained sustained at 26 weeks with statistically significant increases compared to baseline seen in FGA scores (from 15.0 to 19.2), self-selected gait speed (from 0.89 to 0.97 m/s), and 4-Stage Balance Test (from 25.6 to 28.4 s), indicating a decrease in fall risk. Non-significant improvements were observed in TUG and fast gait speed. Overall, 39 falls were reported; 31 of them did not require medical treatment and four caused severe injury. Participants who reported falls over 6 months prior to the study had a 43% decrease in fall rate during the study as compared to self-report 6-month pre-study (11.8 vs. 6.7 falls/1000 patient days, respectively, p < 0.004), similar to the 46% decrease reported after 10 weeks of use. Conclusion A wearable sensory prosthesis can improve outcomes of gait and balance function and substantially decreases incidence of falls during long-term use. The sustained long-term benefits in clinical outcomes reported here lessen the likelihood that improvements are placebo effects. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier #NCT03538756.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars I. E. Oddsson
- RxFunction Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, United States
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
- *Correspondence: Lars I. E. Oddsson,
| | - Teresa Bisson
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- M Health Fairview, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | - Ikechukwu Iloputaife
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Roslindale, MA, United States
| | - Laura Jacobs
- RxFunction Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, United States
| | - Doris Kung
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lewis A. Lipsitz
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Roslindale, MA, United States
- Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brad Manor
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Roslindale, MA, United States
- Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Patricia McCracken
- Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | | | - Sara R. Koehler-McNicholas
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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22
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Changes in postural sway during upright stance after short-term lower limb physical inactivity: A prospective study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272969. [PMID: 36001574 PMCID: PMC9401126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported that motor behavior is affected by short-term physical inactivity using cast immobilization; however, the effects of inactivity on postural sway are not well-understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term lower limb disuse on postural sway in the upright position after cast removal. Twenty-two healthy young adults were enrolled, and each participant’s lower limb on one side was fixed with a soft bandage and medical splint made from metal and soft urethane for 10 h. Fluctuations in the center of pressure (COP) were measured before and after immobilization; the total trajectory length, mean velocity, COP root mean square (RMS) area, mean medial-lateral (M-L) COP, and mean anterior-posterior (A-P) COP were selected as evaluation parameters. Compared with the postural sway before cast application, we noted an increase and shift (from the fixed to the nonfixed side) in the postural sway after cast removal. Our results therefore suggest that short-term disuse may cause acute changes in COP movements during quiet standing. Moreover, patients may maintain their standing posture by adopting a compensatory strategy involving lateral control, similar to individuals with stroke and patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty.
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Shao Z, Li L, Mao M, Sun W, Zhang C, Song Q. Exploring the effects of peripheral sensibility on visuospatial and postural capacities during goal-directed movements in long-term Tai Chi practitioners. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:881972. [PMID: 35936774 PMCID: PMC9355721 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.881972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Falls are directly related to visuospatial ability and postural stability. Perturbations of upper body movements pose a challenge to older adults and may cause falls. This study investigated visuospatial ability and postural stability during goal-directed upper body movements between the Tai Chi and control groups and tried to connect them with their sensations. Materials and methods Thirty-seven older adults were recruited to perform the touch (TT) and blind touch (BTT) tasks. The target positioning error (TPE), ankle proprioception, tactile sensation, time to stabilization (TTS), and maximum displacement (Dmax) of the center of pressure trajectory were compared between the groups during the tasks. The relationships of visuospatial ability and postural stability to proprioception and tactile sensation were investigated. Results Dmax in the mediolateral (DmaxML) direction decreased during BTT compared to TT among the Tai Chi group but not the control group. Compared to the control group, less Dmax in the anterio-posterior (DmaxAP) direction, and shorter TTS in AP/ML (TTSAP/TTSML) directions were observed among the Tai Chi group. Compared to TT, DmaxAP decreased during the BTT. The Tai Chi group had less TPE in the vertical (TPEV) direction and in three-dimensional space. Among the Tai Chi group, TPEV, TTSML, and DmaxAP were correlated to their proprioception during plantarflexion; TTSAP was correlated to tactile sensation at the great toe during the TT and BTT; DmaxAP was correlated to tactile sensation at the great toe during the TT. Among the control group, TTSML was correlated to ankle proprioception during dorsiflexion and plantarflexion during the BTT. Conclusion Long-term Tai Chi practitioners exhibited superior visuospatial ability and postural stability during goal-directed upper body movements, which was associated with sensitive proprioception and tactile sensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhufeng Shao
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, United States
| | - Min Mao
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
| | - Cui Zhang
- Laboratory of Biomechanics, Shandong Institute of Sport Science, Jinan, China
| | - Qipeng Song
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Qipeng Song,
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24
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Qian L, Yang X, Ma X, Yu Y, Chen WM. Integration of reginal shear measurements at the foot-ground interface during routine balance assessment of the elderly population. Gait Posture 2022; 96:18-21. [PMID: 35550502 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Force-plate posturography offers a convenient way for quantitative assessment of postural stability in the elderly. However, studies focusing on routine balance assessment have usually not taken reginal shear distributions (i.e., arising from horizontal forces) into consideration. RESEARCH QUESTION (1) Does plantar shear distribution differ between young and elderly subjects during upright standing? (2) How do the maximum plantar shear forces vary at different regions of the foot? METHODS The new reginal shear measurement (RSM) method can simultaneously capture the three-dimensional force distributions at regional plantar sites while subjects maintaining standing balance. The feasibility of the proposed method in characterizing the magnitude and distribution of plantar shear forces was tested in thirty-two normal young and nineteen elderly subjects. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test for both the continuous and ordinal variables. RESULTS For regional AP shear forces, statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for the toe region of the right foot and the midfoot of both feet. For ML shear distributions, statistically significant differences were found at nearly all plantar sites expect for the hallux and lateral metatarsal. The maximum increase in ML shear forces occurred in the toe region of the right foot, where the peak shear values were 113.16% higher than those of the young subjects. The peak ML shear occurred in the midfoot were averagely 83.19% and 70.57% higher in the elderly's left and right feet, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE The RSM method may offer unique solutions to identify functional decline in postural control of the elderly. The plantar shear pattern has potential to become an important parameter in evaluating one's balance performance during upright standing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewen Qian
- Academy for Engineering & Technology, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xionggang Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases (NCRCGD), Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xin Ma
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases (NCRCGD), Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yue Yu
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou, PR China
| | - Wen-Ming Chen
- Academy for Engineering & Technology, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, PR China.
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25
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Gill G, Forman DA, Reeves JE, Taylor JL, Bent LR. Location-specific cutaneous electrical stimulation of the footsole modulates corticospinal excitability to the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during standing. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15240. [PMID: 35778836 PMCID: PMC9249991 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non‐noxious electrical stimulation to distinct locations of the foot sole evokes location‐specific cutaneous reflex responses in lower limb muscles. These reflexes occur at latencies that may enable them to be mediated via a transcortical pathway. Corticospinal excitability to the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors was measured in 16 participants using motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Spinal excitability was measured in eight of the original participants using cervicomedullary motor evoked potentials (CMEPs). Measurements were collected with and without preceding cutaneous stimulus to either the heel (HEEL) or metatarsal (MET) locations of the foot sole, and evoked potentials were elicited to coincide with the arrival of the cutaneous volley at either the motor cortex or spinal cord. Plantarflexor MEPs and CMEPs were facilitated with cutaneous stimulation to the HEEL for MEPs (soleus p = 0.04, medial gastrocnemius (MG) p = 0.017) and CMEPs (soleus p = 0.047 and MG p = 0.015), but they were unchanged following MET stimulation for MEPs or CMEPs. Dorsiflexor MEPs were unchanged with cutaneous stimulation at either location, but dorsiflexor CMEPs increased with cutaneous stimulation (p = 0.05). In general, the increase in CMEP amplitudes was larger than the increase in MEP amplitudes, indicating that an increase in spinal excitability likely explains most of the increase in corticospinal excitability. The larger change observed in the CMEP also indicates that excitability from supraspinal sources likely decreased, which could be due to a net change in the excitability of intracortical circuits. This study provides evidence that cutaneous reflexes from foot sole skin are likely influenced by a transcortical pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Gill
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Davis A Forman
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna E Reeves
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Janet L Taylor
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Leah R Bent
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Fabre M, Sainton P, Sutter C, Mouchnino L, Chavet P. Partial Unweighting in Obese Persons Enhances Tactile Transmission From the Periphery to Cortical Areas: Impact on Postural Adjustments. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:782028. [PMID: 35774481 PMCID: PMC9238273 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.782028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tactile plantar information is known to play an important role in balance maintenance and to contribute to the setting of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) prior to stepping. Previous studies have suggested that somatosensory processes do not function optimally for obese individuals due to the increased pressure of the plantar sole resulting in balance issues. Here, we investigated whether decreasing the compression of the mechanoreceptors by unweighting the plantar sole would enhance tactile sensory processes leading to an increased stability and an accurate setting of the APAs in obese individuals. More specifically, we tested the hypothesis that the somatosensory cortex response to electric stimulation (SEP) of the plantar sole in standing obese persons will be greater with reduced body weight than with their effective weight. The level of unweighting was calculated for each participant to correspond to a healthy body mass index. We showed an increase SEP amplitude in the unweighted condition compared to the effective body weight for all participants. This increase can be explained by the reduction of weight itself but also by the modified distribution of the pressure exerted onto the foot sole. Indeed, in the unweighted condition, the vertical ground reaction forces are evenly distributed over the surface of the foot. This suggests that decreasing and equalizing the pressure applied on the plantar mechanoreceptors results in an increase in somatosensory transmission and sensory processes for obese persons when unweighted. These sensory processes are crucial prior to step initiation and for setting the anticipatory postural adjustments (i.e., thrust). These cortical changes could have contributed to the observed changes in the spatiotemporal characteristics of the thrust prior to step initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Fabre
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Sainton
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut des Sciences du Mouvement, Marseille, France
| | - Chloé Sutter
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Marseille, France
| | - Laurence Mouchnino
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Marseille, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Chavet
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut des Sciences du Mouvement, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Pascale Chavet
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27
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Asgari N, Yeowell G, Sadeghi-Demneh E. A comparison of the efficacy of textured insoles on balance performance in older people with versus without plantar callosities. Gait Posture 2022; 94:217-221. [PMID: 35367850 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Textured insoles have been suggested to enhance foot sensation, which contributes to controlling upright balance. However, the interaction between plantar callosity and the textured surface has not been studied. RESEARCH QUESTION Firstly, to compare the efficacy of textured insoles on balance performance and foot position sense between two groups of older people: one group had plantar callosity, and the other did not. Secondly, to investigate the efficacy of textured insoles within each study group. METHODS Thirty older people with a history of falls (15 with plantar callosity and 15 without callosity) participated in this study. All participants underwent assessments of postural sway on a force plate, joint position sensation of the ankle with a slope box, and mobility using the "Timed Up and Go" test under three insole surface conditions: 1) smooth (control), 2) placebo and 3) textured surface. Two-way analyses of variance were used to compare the outcomes of the two groups and three conditions. RESULTS Older people with plantar callosity had worse ankle joint position sense and slower antero-posterior and mediolateral postural sway velocity than their peers who did not have plantar callosity. The textured insoles improved ankle joint position sense and mobility regardless of callus status in the plantar surface of older peoples' feet. The insole-callosity interaction was not significant for any study outcome. SIGNIFICANCE Textured insoles could be beneficial to older people with and without callosity as they have shown immediate improvements in ankle joint position sense and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Asgari
- Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Gillian Yeowell
- Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Ebrahim Sadeghi-Demneh
- Musculoskeletal Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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28
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Fava de Lima F, Silva CR, Kohn AF. Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) does not affect postural sway of young and healthy subjects during quiet upright standing. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267718. [PMID: 35482798 PMCID: PMC9049532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is an effective non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation technique to induce neuromodulation of local and distal neural circuits of the central nervous system (CNS). Applied to the spinal cord lumbosacral region, tsDCS changes electrophysiological responses of the motor, proprioceptive and nociceptive pathways, alters the performance of some lower limb motor tasks and can even modulate the behavior of supramedullary neuronal networks. In this study an experimental protocol was conducted to verify if tsDCS (5 mA, 20 minutes) of two different polarizations, applied over the lumbosacral region (tenth thoracic vertebrae (T10)), can induce changes in postural sway oscillations of young healthy individuals during quiet standing. A novel initialization of the electrical stimulation was developed to improve subject blinding to the different stimulus conditions including the sham trials. Measures of postural sway, both global and structural, were computed before, during and following the DC stimulation period. The results indicated that, for the adopted conditions, tsDCS did not induce statistically significant changes in postural sway of young healthy individuals during quiet standing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Fava de Lima
- Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Cristiano Rocha Silva
- Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andre Fabio Kohn
- Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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29
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Emamhadi M, Haghani Dogahe M. Clinical Application of Saphenous Nerve Transfer for Sensory Reconstruction of the Sole After Sciatic Nerve Injury: A Case Series. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2022; 22:373-379. [DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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30
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Sex differences in the association of postural control with indirect measures of body representations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4556. [PMID: 35296686 PMCID: PMC8927351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07738-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides anthropometric variables, high-order body representations have been hypothesised to influence postural control. However, this has not been directly tested before. Moreover, some studies indicate that sex moderates the relationship of anthropometry and postural control. Therefore, as a proof of concept we investigated the association of body representations with postural control as well as the influence of participants’ sex/gender. Body image measures were assessed with a figural drawing task. Body schema was tested by a covert and an overt task. Body sway was measured during normal bipedal quiet standing with eyes closed (with/without neck extended). Statistical analysis consisted of hierarchical multiple linear regressions with the following regression steps: (1) sensory condition, (2) sex/gender, (3) age, (4) anthropometry, (5) body schema, (6) body image, (7) sex/gender-interactions. Across 36 subjects (19 females), body schema was significantly associated with body sway variability and open-loop control, in addition to commonly known influencing factors, such as sensory condition, gender, age and anthropometry. While in females, also body image dissatisfaction substantially was associated with postural control, this was not the case in males. Sex differences and possible causes why high-order body representations may influence concurrent sensorimotor control of body sway are discussed.
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31
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Machado MS, Machado ÁS, Guadagnin EC, Schmidt D, Germano AMC, Carpes FP. Effects of increasing temperature in different foot regions on foot sensitivity and postural control in young adults. Foot (Edinb) 2022; 50:101887. [PMID: 35219134 DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2021.101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite controversial evidence, foot sensitivity may influence postural control. Since skin temperature changes may induce changes in skin sensitivity, it remains unclear whether this also affects postural control. Here we examined the effects of increasing foot temperature on foot sensitivity and postural control responses. It is hypothesized that increases in foot temperature would improve foot sensitivity and enhance postural control. Furthermore, it was investigated whether warming a larger foot area provides additional benefits. Our hypothesis was tested by warming the foot plantar and the whole foot and ankle area (including foot plantar and instep) using infrared radiation and evaluated the center of pressure (CoP, bilateral, in two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed) and foot tactile sensitivity (Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments) in 22 young participants. Both warming protocols significantly increased foot temperature by ∼5-6 °C and improved sensitivity, whereas more considerable improvements happened after warming the whole foot and ankle. CoP mediolateral oscillation and velocity with eyes open, and CoP area and velocity with eyes closed reduced after both warming protocols. Foot sensitivity seems to depend on the foot area warmed, whereas postural control improved equally regardless of the warmed regions. These results may support interventions based on the manipulation of foot temperatures to improve postural control with potential clinical applications in populations with impaired foot sensitivity and balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias S Machado
- Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Álvaro S Machado
- Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Eliane C Guadagnin
- Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Daniel Schmidt
- Department of Human Locomotion, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Andresa M C Germano
- Department of Human Locomotion, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Felipe P Carpes
- Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
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32
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Heating the Skin Over the Knee Improves Kinesthesia During Knee Extension. Motor Control 2022; 27:293-313. [PMID: 36400025 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2021-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To determine how heating affects dynamic joint position sense at the knee, participants (n = 11; F = 6) were seated in a HUMAC NORM dynamometer. The leg was passively moved through extension and flexion, and participants indicated when the 90° reference position was perceived, both at baseline (28.74 ± 2.43 °C) and heated (38.05 ± 0.16 °C) skin temperatures. Day 2 of testing reduced knee skin feedback with lidocaine. Directional error (actual leg angle–target angle) and absolute error (AE) were calculated. Heating reduced extension AE (baseline AE = 5.46 ± 2.39°, heat AE = 4.10 ± 1.97°), but not flexion. Lidocaine did not significantly affect flexion AE or extension AE. Overall, increased anterior knee-skin temperature improves dynamic joint position sense during passive knee extension, where baseline matching is poorer. Limited application of lidocaine to the anterior thigh, reducing some skin input, did not influence dynamic joint position sense, suggesting cutaneous receptors may play only a secondary role to spindle information during kinesthetic tasks. Importantly, cutaneous input from adjacent thigh regions cannot be ruled out as a contributor.
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Sawaguchi Y, Kawasaki T, Oda H, Kunimura H, Hiraoka K. Contribution of vision and tactile sensation on body sway during quiet stance. J Phys Ther Sci 2022; 34:393-399. [PMID: 35527847 PMCID: PMC9057688 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.34.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] This study examines the contribution of vision and tactile sensation on body
sway during quiet stance. [Participants and Methods] Sixteen healthy participants
maintained quiet stance. The mean distance between the neutral center of pressure (COP)
and that at the peak deviated position, indicating how quickly humans initiate the swaying
of the body back to the neutral position, was calculated (COPpeak). [Results] The
displacement of the COP in both the anterior–posterior and medial–lateral axes was greater
when vision was occluded. The anterior or posterior COPpeak was also greater when vision
was occluded. The leftward COPpeak was greater when the tactile sensation of the sole was
masked. Visual occlusion decreased the tactile perception threshold of the sole. There was
no significant interaction between the effect of vision and that of tactile sensation on
body sway during quiet stance. [Conclusion] Vision plays a role in returning the body to
the neutral position, particularly in the anterior–posterior axis. Tactile sensation
contributes particularly to recovery from the leftward body sway during quiet stance.
Tactile sensitivity is enhanced by visual occlusion through inter-modal reweighting.
However, inter-modal reweighting between vision and tactile sensation is not specifically
for postural control during quiet stance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Sawaguchi
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
| | - Taku Kawasaki
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Oda
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunimura
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
| | - Koichi Hiraoka
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University: 3-7-30 Habikino, Habikino city, Osaka 583-8555, Japan
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Early Clinical Prediction of Independent Outdoor Functional Walking Capacity in a Prospective Cohort of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2021; 100:1034-1041. [PMID: 34673705 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000001812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The first objective was to identify a method for early prediction of independent outdoor functional walking 1 yr after a traumatic spinal cord injury using the motor and sensory function derived from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury assessment during acute care. Then, the second objective was to develop a clinically relevant prediction rule that would be accurate, easy to use, and quickly calculated in clinical setting. DESIGN A prospective cohort of 159 traumatic spinal cord injury patients was analyzed. Bivariate correlations were used to determine the assessment method of motor strength and sensory function as well as the specific dermatomes and myotomes best associated with independent outdoor functional walking 1 yr after injury. An easy-to-use clinical prediction rule was produced using a multivariable linear regression model. RESULTS The highest motor strength for a given myotome (L3 and L5) and preserved light touch sensation (dermatome S1) were the best predictors of the outcome. The proposed prediction rule displayed a sensitivity of 84.21%, a specificity of 85.54%, and a global accuracy of 84.91% for classification. CONCLUSIONS After an acute traumatic spinal cord injury, accurately predicting the ability to walk is challenging. The proposed clinical prediction rule aims to enhance previous work by identifying traumatic spinal cord injury patients who will reach a mobility level that fosters social participation and quality of life in the chronic period after the injury. TO CLAIM CME CREDITS Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME. CME OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Revise the different motor and sensory function assessment methods used for prognostication of walking after an acute traumatic spinal cord injury; (2) Identify clinical factors that are significantly associated with functional walking 1 yr after a traumatic spinal cord injury; and (3) Accurately estimate the likelihood of reaching independent outdoor functional walking in the chronic phase after an acute traumatic spinal cord injury. LEVEL Advanced. ACCREDITATION The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Farinelli V, Bolzoni F, Marchese SM, Esposti R, Cavallari P. A Novel Viewpoint on the Anticipatory Postural Adjustments During Gait Initiation. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:709780. [PMID: 34707487 PMCID: PMC8543010 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.709780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are the coordinated muscular activities that precede the voluntary movements to counteract the associated postural perturbations. Many studies about gait initiation call APAs those activities that precede the heel-off of the leading foot, thus taking heel-off as the onset of voluntary movement. In particular, leg muscles drive the center of pressure (CoP) both laterally, to shift the body weight over the trailing foot and backward, to create a disequilibrium torque pushing forward the center of mass (CoM). However, since subjects want to propel their body rather than lift their foot, the onset of gait should be the CoM displacement, which starts with the backward CoP shift. If so, the leg muscles driving such a shift are the prime movers. Moreover, since the disequilibrium torque is mechanically equivalent to a forward force acting at the pelvis level, APAs should be required to link the body segments to the pelvis: distributing such concentrated force throughout the body would make all segments move homogeneously. In the aim of testing this hypothesis, we analyzed gait initiation in 15 right-footed healthy subjects, searching for activities in trunk muscles that precede the onset of the backward CoP shift. Subjects stood on a force plate for about 10 s and then started walking at their natural speed. A minimum of 10 trials were collected. A force plate measured the CoP position while wireless probes recorded the electromyographic activities. Recordings ascertained that at gait onset APAs develop in trunk muscles. On the right side, Rectus Abdominis and Obliquus Abdominis were activated in 11 and 13 subjects, respectively, starting on average 33 and 54 ms before the CoP shift; Erector Spinae (ES) at L2 and T3 levels was instead inhibited (9 and 7 subjects, 104 and 120 ms). On the contralateral side, the same muscles showed excitatory APAs (abdominals in 11 and 12 subjects, 27 and 82 ms; ES in 10 and 7 subjects, 75 and 32 ms). The results of this study provide a novel framework for distinguishing postural from voluntary actions, which may be relevant for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of gait disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Farinelli
- Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bolzoni
- Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Silvia Maria Marchese
- Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Esposti
- Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Cavallari
- Human Physiology Section of the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Pinvanichkul C, Siriphorn A. Effect of Walking Training with Textured Insole Socks in Older Adults. PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN GERIATRICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/02703181.2021.1994097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chanon Pinvanichkul
- Human Movement Performance Enhancement Research Unit, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Akkradate Siriphorn
- Human Movement Performance Enhancement Research Unit, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Monaghan AS, Huisinga JM, Peterson DS. The relationship between plantar sensation and muscle onset during automatic postural responses in people with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 56:103313. [PMID: 34644600 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plantar sensation is critical for balance control in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). While previous research has described its impact on standing balance, the influence of plantar sensation during automatic postural responses (APRs) is not well understood in PwMS. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between plantar sensation and APRs in PwMS and controls. A secondary aim was to determine whether the relationship between plantar sensation and APRs is different across PwMS and control groups. METHODS 122 PwMS and 48 age-matched controls underwent forward and backward support-surface perturbations from stance. The onset of the tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were the primary reactive balance outcome measures for backward and forward losses of balance, respectively. Plantar sensation was measured as the vibration sensation threshold (VT). RESULTS As expected, PwMS had significantly higher (i.e., worse) VT (p<0.001) and an increased MG and TA onset latency (TA: p<0.001, MG: p = 0.01) compared to the control group. A higher VT was related to increased MG (p<0.001) and TA latency (p<0.001) across all participants. However, no moderating effect of group (control or PwMS) was observed for the relationship between VT and muscle onset (MG: p = 0.14; TA: p = 0.34). CONCLUSION PwMS demonstrated poorer plantar sensation and delayed muscle onset during APRs compared to controls. Plantar sensation was also related to muscle onset after perturbations in all participants. Although this relationship was not moderated by group, this may be related to the lack of dynamic range of VT scores in controls. These results indicate that plantar sensation may be related to reactive balance and provides insight into a potential contributing factor of delayed automatic postural responses in people with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Monaghan
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - J M Huisinga
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
| | - D S Peterson
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix VA Health Care Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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Davis IS, Hollander K, Lieberman DE, Ridge ST, Sacco ICN, Wearing SC. Stepping Back to Minimal Footwear: Applications Across the Lifespan. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2021; 49:228-243. [PMID: 34091498 DOI: 10.1249/jes.0000000000000263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Minimal footwear has existed for tens of thousands of years and was originally designed to protect the sole of the foot. Over the past 50 yr, most footwear has become increasingly more cushioned and supportive. Here, we review evidence that minimal shoes are a better match to our feet, which may result in a lower risk of musculoskeletal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene S Davis
- Spaulding National Running Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Daniel E Lieberman
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA
| | - Sarah T Ridge
- Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Isabel C N Sacco
- Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lauzier L, Kadri MA, Bouchard E, Bouchard K, Gaboury S, Gagnon JM, Girard MP, Larouche A, Robert R, Lapointe P, da Silva RA, Beaulieu LD. Vibration of the Whole Foot Soles Surface Using an Inexpensive Portable Device to Investigate Age-Related Alterations of Postural Control. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:719502. [PMID: 34566603 PMCID: PMC8461065 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.719502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Standing on a foam surface is used to investigate how aging affect the ability to keep balance when somatosensory inputs from feet soles become unreliable. However, since standing on foam also affects the efficacy of postural adjustments, the respective contributions of sensory and motor components are impossible to separate. This study tested the hypothesis that these components can be untangled by comparing changes of center of pressure (CoP) parameters induced by standing on a foam pad vs. a novel vibration (VIB) platform developed by our team and targeting feet soles’ mechanoreceptors. Methods: Bipedal postural control of young (n = 20) and healthy elders (n = 20) was assessed while standing barefoot on a force platform through 3 randomized conditions: (1) Baseline (BL); (2) VIB; and (3) Foam. CoP Amplitude and Velocity in the antero-posterior/medio-lateral (AP/ML) directions and COP Surface were compared between conditions and groups. Findings: Both VIB and Foam increased CoP parameters compared to BL, but Foam had a significantly greater impact than VIB for both groups. Young and Old participants significantly differed for all three Conditions. However, when correcting for BL levels of postural performance, VIB-related increase of COP parameters was no longer different between groups, conversely to Foam. Interpretation: Although both VIB and Foam highlighted age-related differences of postural control, their combined use revealed that “motor” and “sensory” components are differently affected by aging, the latter being relatively unaltered, at least in healthy/active elders. The combined used of these methods could provide relevant knowledge to better understand and manage postural impairments in the aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydiane Lauzier
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Mohamed Abdelhafid Kadri
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Emilie Bouchard
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin Bouchard
- Laboratoire d'Intelligence Ambiante pour la Reconnaissance d'Activités (LIARA), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Gaboury
- Laboratoire d'Intelligence Ambiante pour la Reconnaissance d'Activités (LIARA), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Michel Gagnon
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier Girard
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Andréanne Larouche
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Roxane Robert
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Lapointe
- Laboratoire d'Intelligence Ambiante pour la Reconnaissance d'Activités (LIARA), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
| | - Rubens A da Silva
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada.,Centre Intégré de Santé et Services Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (CIUSSS SLSJ), Hôpital de La Baie, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-David Beaulieu
- Laboratoire de Recherche Biomécanique & Neurophysiologique en Réadaptation Neuro-Musculo-Squelettique (Lab BioNR), Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
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Effects of Eight Methods and Five Steps of Tai Chi Practice on Balance Control Among Older Adults. Motor Control 2021; 25:616-630. [PMID: 34530402 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2021-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The team developed the newly compiled eight methods and five steps of Tai Chi (EMFSTC), which includes introductory routines to Tai Chi characterized by simple structures. This study examined the effectiveness of EMFSTC practice on balance control. A total of 31 participants were randomly assigned to EMFSTC (n = 15, age = 66.4 ± 1.7 years, received 16-week EMFSTC practice) or control (n = 16, age = 66.7 ± 1.8 years, received no practice) groups. Significant group by training interactions were observed. After EMFSTC practice, balance control improved, as indicated by decreased root mean square and mean velocity of center of pressure, proprioception threshold during knee extension, and plantar tactile sensitivity threshold at the arch. EMFSCT can be an effective rehabilitation modality to improve balance control among older adults.
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Song Q, Zhang X, Mao M, Sun W, Zhang C, Chen Y, Li L. Relationship of proprioception, cutaneous sensitivity, and muscle strength with the balance control among older adults. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2021; 10:585-593. [PMID: 34293496 PMCID: PMC8500852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Balance impairment is one of the strongest risk factors for falls. Proprioception, cutaneous sensitivity, and muscle strength are 3 important contributors to balance control in older adults. The relationship that dynamic and static balance control has to proprioception, cutaneous sensitivity, and muscle strength is still unclear. This study was performed to investigate the relationship these contributors have to dynamic and static balance control. METHODS A total of 164 older adults (female = 89, left dominant = 15, age: 73.5 ± 7.8 years, height: 161.6 ± 7.1 cm, weight: 63.7 ± 8.9 kg, mean ± SD) participated in this study. It tested the proprioception of their knee flexion/extension and ankle dorsi/plantarflexion, along with cutaneous sensitivity at the great toe, first and fifth metatarsals, arch, and heel, and the muscle strength of their ankle dorsi/plantarflexion and hip abduction. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the root mean square (RMS) of the center of pressure (CoP) were collected as indications of dynamic and static balance control. A partial correlation was used to determine the relationship between the measured outcomes variables (BBS and CoP-RMS) and the proprioception, cutaneous sensitivity, and muscle strength variables. RESULTS Proprioception of ankle plantarflexion (r = -0.306, p = 0.002) and dorsiflexion (r = -0.217, p = 0.030), and muscle strength of ankle plantarflexion (r = 0.275, p = 0.004), dorsiflexion (r = 0.369, p < 0.001), and hip abduction (r = 0.342, p < 0.001) were weakly to moderately correlated with BBS. Proprioception of ankle dorsiflexion (r = 0.218, p = 0.020) and cutaneous sensitivity at the great toe (r = 0.231, p = 0.041) and arch (r = 0.285, p = 0.002) were weakly correlated with CoP-RMS in the anteroposterior direction. Proprioception of ankle dorsiflexion (r = 0.220, p = 0.035), knee flexion (r = 0.308, p = 0.001) and extension (r = 0.193, p = 0.040), and cutaneous sensitivity at the arch (r = 0.206, p = 0.028) were weakly to moderately correlated with CoP-RMS in the mediolateral direction. CONCLUSION There is a weak-to-moderate relationship between proprioception and dynamic and static balance control, a weak relationship between cutaneous sensitivity and static balance control, and a weak-to-moderate relationship between muscle strength and dynamic balance control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qipeng Song
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Department of Statistics and Analytical Sciences, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA
| | - Min Mao
- Department of Allied Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Cui Zhang
- Lab of Biomechanics, Shandong Institute of Sport Science, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Yan Chen
- College of Sports and Health, Shandong Sport University, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA.
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Mildren RL, Peters RM, Carpenter MG, Blouin JS, Inglis JT. Soleus responses to Achilles tendon stimuli are suppressed by heel and enhanced by metatarsal cutaneous stimuli during standing. J Physiol 2021; 599:3611-3625. [PMID: 34047370 DOI: 10.1113/jp281744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS We examined the influence of cutaneous feedback from the heel and metatarsal regions of the foot sole on the soleus stretch reflex pathway during standing. We found that heel electrical stimuli suppressed and metatarsal stimuli enhanced the soleus vibration response. Follow-up experiments indicated that the interaction between foot sole cutaneous feedback and the soleus vibration response was likely not mediated by presynaptic inhibition and was contingent upon a modulation at the ⍺-motoneuron pool level. The spatially organized interaction between cutaneous feedback from the foot sole and the soleus vibration response provides information about how somatosensory information is combined to appropriately respond to perturbations during standing. ABSTRACT Cutaneous feedback from the foot sole provides balance-relevant information and has the potential to interact with spinal reflex pathways. In this study, we examined how cutaneous feedback from the foot sole (heel and metatarsals) influenced the soleus response to proprioceptive stimuli during standing. We delivered noisy vibration (10-115 Hz) to the right Achilles tendon while we intermittently applied electrical pulse trains (five 1-ms pulses at 200 Hz, every 0.8-1.0 s) to the skin under either the heel or the metatarsals of the ipsilateral foot sole. We analysed time-dependent (referenced to cutaneous stimuli) coherence and cross-correlations between the vibration acceleration and rectified soleus EMG. Vibration-EMG coherence was observed across a bandwidth of ∼10-80 Hz, and coherence was suppressed by heel but enhanced by metatarsal cutaneous stimuli. Cross-correlations showed soleus EMG was correlated with the vibration (∼40 ms lag) and cross-correlations were also suppressed by heel (from 104-155 ms) but enhanced by metatarsal (from 76-128 ms) stimuli. To examine the neural mechanisms mediating this reflex interaction, we conducted two further experiments to probe potential contributions from (1) presynaptic inhibition, and (2) modulations at the ⍺- and γ-motoneuron pools. Results suggest the cutaneous interactions with the stretch reflex pathway required a modulation at the ⍺-motoneuron pool and were likely not mediated by presynaptic inhibition. These findings demonstrate that foot sole cutaneous information functionally tunes the stretch reflex pathway during the control of upright posture and balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn L Mildren
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan M Peters
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark G Carpenter
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Blouin
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - J Timothy Inglis
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Ayvat F, Özçakar L, Ayvat E, Aksu Yıldırım S, Kılınç M. Effects of low vs. high frequency local vibration on mild-moderate muscle spasticity: Ultrasonographical and functional evaluation in patients with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 51:102930. [PMID: 33836458 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Local vibration (LV) is a physiotherapy application that aims to reduce spasticity. The study aimed to compare the effects of 50 Hz vs. 100 Hz LV on mild-moderate spasticity, functional performance and muscle architecture. METHODS Thirty-three patients were randomly divided into three groups: 50 Hz LV group, 100 Hz LV group and the control group. Physical therapy was applied for one hour a day, three days a week, for a total of eight weeks. LV was applied to the right and left medial gastrocnemius muscles for five minutes. Clinical (spasticity, ankle joint position sense, balance, gait) and ultrasonographic (gastrocnemius fascicle length and pennation angle) measurements were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS The study was completed with 27 patients. The decrease in spasticity and the increase in fascicle length were found to be statistically significant in the 50 Hz group (both p<0.05). Ankle joint position sense, single-leg stance time, limits of stability/postural sway range in the medio-lateral direction significantly improved in the vibration treatment groups (all p<0.05). The antero-posterior limits of stability and postural sway showed significant improvement in all groups (all p<0.05). While the 50 Hz group showed significant improvement for all walking parameters; velocity, step length and base of support values improved in the 100 Hz group (all p<0.05). The exercise group showed significant improvement only for single support and stance phase percentages of the gait cycle (both p<0.05). According to between group comparisons, significant difference was found only in medio-lateral limits of stabillity (p<0.05). Medio-lateral limits of stabillity scores were better for the 50 Hz group than the 100 Hz and exercise group. CONCLUSION Our findings show that LV does not have any substantial effect except for medio-lateral limits of stability. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT04192786.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Ayvat
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 06100 Samanpazarı/Altındag, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Levent Özçakar
- Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ender Ayvat
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 06100 Samanpazarı/Altındag, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Sibel Aksu Yıldırım
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 06100 Samanpazarı/Altındag, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Muhammed Kılınç
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 06100 Samanpazarı/Altındag, Ankara, Turkey.
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Reducing the foot trajectory variabilities during walking through vibratory stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7125. [PMID: 33782523 PMCID: PMC8007736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86583-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Variabilities or fluctuations in foot clearance are considered as a risk factor for falls during walking in older adults. The present study aimed to investigate whether the foot trajectory variability can be reduced by applying vibratory stimulation to the foot's plantar surface during walking. Ten healthy adults were asked to walk on a treadmill with vibratory shoes, and body kinematics were measured. Changes in the mean absolute deviations of the foot trajectory and joint and trunk angles were compared between the periods of applied or absent vibratory stimulus. Our results demonstrated that toe trajectory variability in the swing phase was significantly smaller when a vibratory stimulus was applied. Applying vibratory stimulus to the soles of the forefoot could potentially be used to reduce foot trajectory variability, which could reduce the risk of trips and associated falls during walking in older adults.
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Bradley SS, Howe E, Bent LR, Vickaryous MK. Cutaneous tactile sensitivity before and after tail loss and regeneration in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.234054. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.234054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Amongst tetrapods, mechanoreceptors on the feet establish a sense of body placement and help to facilitate posture and biomechanics. Mechanoreceptors are necessary for stabilizing the body while navigating through changing terrains or responding to a sudden change in body mass and orientation. Lizards such as the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) employ autotomy – a voluntary detachment of a portion of the tail – to escape predation. Tail autotomy represents a natural form of significant (and localized) mass loss. Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments were used to investigate the effect of tail autotomy (and subsequent tail regeneration) on tactile sensitivity of each appendage of the leopard gecko. Prior to autotomy, we identified site-specific differences in tactile sensitivity across the ventral surfaces of the hindlimbs, forelimbs and tail. Repeated monofilament testing of both control (tail-intact) and tail-loss geckos had a significant sensitization effect (i.e. decrease in tactile threshold, maintained over time) in all regions of interest except the palmar surfaces of the forelimbs in post-autotomy geckos, compared with baseline testing. Although the regenerated tail is not an exact replica of the original, tactile sensitivity is shown to be effectively restored at this site. Re-establishment of tactile sensitivity on the ventral surface of the regenerate tail points towards a (continued) role in predator detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie S. Bradley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Erika Howe
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Leah R. Bent
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Matthew K. Vickaryous
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
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Azbell J, Park J, Chang SH, Engelen MPKG, Park H. Plantar or Palmar Tactile Augmentation Improves Lateral Postural Balance With Significant Influence from Cognitive Load. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2021; 29:113-122. [PMID: 33170781 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2020.3037128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although it seems intuitive to address the issue of reduced plantar cutaneous feedback by augmenting it, many approaches have adopted compensatory sensory cues, such as tactile input from another part of the body, for multiple reasons including easiness and accessibility. The efficacy of the compensatory approaches might be limited due to the cognitive involvement to interpret such compensatory sensory cues. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the plantar cutaneous augmentation is more effective than providing compensatory sensory cues on improving postural regulation, when plantar cutaneous feedback is reduced. In our experiments, six healthy human subjects were asked to maintain their balance on a lateral balance board for as long as possible, until the balance board contacted the ground, for 240 trials with five interventions. During these experiments, subjects were instructed to close their eyes to increase dependency on plantar cutaneous feedback for balancing. Foam pad was also added on the board to emulate the condition of reduced plantar cutaneous feedback. The effects of tactile augmentation from the foot sole or the palm on standing balance were tested by applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation on calcaneal or ulnar nerve during the balance board tests, with and without a cognitively-challenging counting task. Experimental results indicate that the plantar cutaneous augmentation was effective on improving balance only with cognitive load, while the palmar cutaneous augmentation was effective only without cognitive load. This result suggests that the location of sensory augmentation should be carefully determined according to the attentional demands.
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Asai H, Inaoka PT. The role of the pressure information from the heel on the perception of the backward-leaning standing position. Neurosci Lett 2021; 750:135752. [PMID: 33610672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the functional role of the heel pressure information for perceiving a backward-leaning position through a decrease in sensory information using local cooling on the heel in healthy participants (n = 11). The position of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction (CoPy position) while standing was represented as the percentage distance (%FL) from the hindmost point of the heel (0 %FL) in relation to the foot length. The most backward-leaning position was measured under cool-heel condition and normal-heel condition. The perceptibility of six reference positions (45 %FL, 40 %FL, 35 %FL, 30 %FL, 25 %FL, and 20 %FL) was evaluated with regard to the reproducibility of these positions under both heel conditions. The most backward-leaning position under cool-heel condition was located significantly further backward than that under normal-heel condition. The absolute error at 25 %FL under cool-heel condition was significantly larger than that under normal-heel condition. The sensory information from the heels may have a decisive meaning in the perception of the most backward-leaning position. At 25 %FL, there may be no other sources of sensory information for sensory reweighting aside from the heel pressure for position perception under cooled condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Asai
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Course of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| | - Pleiades T Inaoka
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Course of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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McCall AA, Miller DM, Balaban CD. Integration of vestibular and hindlimb inputs by vestibular nucleus neurons: multisensory influences on postural control. J Neurophysiol 2021; 125:1095-1110. [PMID: 33534649 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00350.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently demonstrated in decerebrate and conscious cat preparations that hindlimb somatosensory inputs converge with vestibular afferent input onto neurons in multiple central nervous system (CNS) locations that participate in balance control. Although it is known that head position and limb state modulate postural reflexes, presumably through vestibulospinal and reticulospinal pathways, the combined influence of the two inputs on the activity of neurons in these brainstem regions is unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the responses of vestibular nucleus (VN) neurons to vestibular and hindlimb stimuli delivered separately and together in conscious cats. We hypothesized that VN neuronal firing during activation of vestibular and limb proprioceptive inputs would be well fit by an additive model. Extracellular single-unit recordings were obtained from VN neurons. Sinusoidal whole body rotation in the roll plane was used as the search stimulus. Units responding to the search stimulus were tested for their responses to 10° ramp-and-hold roll body rotation, 60° extension hindlimb movement, and both movements delivered simultaneously. Composite response histograms were fit by a model of low- and high-pass filtered limb and body position signals using least squares nonlinear regression. We found that VN neuronal activity during combined vestibular and hindlimb proprioceptive stimulation in the conscious cat is well fit by a simple additive model for signals with similar temporal dynamics. The mean R2 value for goodness of fit across all units was 0.74 ± 0.17. It is likely that VN neurons that exhibit these integrative properties participate in adjusting vestibulospinal outflow in response to limb state.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Vestibular nucleus neurons receive convergent information from hindlimb somatosensory inputs and vestibular inputs. In this study, extracellular single-unit recordings of vestibular nucleus neurons during conditions of passively applied limb movement, passive whole body rotations, and combined stimulation were well fit by an additive model. The integration of hindlimb somatosensory inputs with vestibular inputs at the first stage of vestibular processing suggests that vestibular nucleus neurons account for limb position in determining vestibulospinal responses to postural perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A McCall
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Derek M Miller
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Carey D Balaban
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Felicetti G, Thoumie P, Do MC, Schieppati M. Cutaneous and muscular afferents from the foot and sensory fusion processing: Physiology and pathology in neuropathies. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2021; 26:17-34. [PMID: 33426723 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The foot-sole cutaneous receptors (section 2), their function in stance control (sway minimisation, exploratory role) (2.1), and the modulation of their effects by gait pattern and intended behaviour (2.2) are reviewed. Experimental manipulations (anaesthesia, temperature) (2.3 and 2.4) have shown that information from foot sole has widespread influence on balance. Foot-sole stimulation (2.5) appears to be a promising approach for rehabilitation. Proprioceptive information (3) has a pre-eminent role in balance and gait. Reflex responses to balance perturbations are produced by both leg and foot muscle stretch (3.1) and show complex interactions with skin input at both spinal and supra-spinal levels (3.2), where sensory feedback is modulated by posture, locomotion and vision. Other muscles, notably of neck and trunk, contribute to kinaesthesia and sense of orientation in space (3.3). The effects of age-related decline of afferent input are variable under different foot-contact and visual conditions (3.4). Muscle force diminishes with age and sarcopenia, affecting intrinsic foot muscles relaying relevant feedback (3.5). In neuropathy (4), reduction in cutaneous sensation accompanies the diminished density of viable receptors (4.1). Loss of foot-sole input goes along with large-fibre dysfunction in intrinsic foot muscles. Diabetic patients have an elevated risk of falling, and vision and vestibular compensation strategies may be inadequate (4.2). From Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A disease (4.3) we have become aware of the role of spindle group II fibres and of the anatomical feet conditions in balance control. Lastly (5) we touch on the effects of nerve stimulation onto cortical and spinal excitability, which may participate in plasticity processes, and on exercise interventions to reduce the impact of neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Felicetti
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Institute of Montescano, Pavia, Italy
| | - Philippe Thoumie
- Service de rééducation neuro-orthopédique, Hôpital Rothschild APHP, Université Sorbonne, Paris, France.,Agathe Lab ERL Inserm U-1150, Paris, France
| | - Manh-Cuong Do
- Université Paris-Saclay, CIAMS, Orsay, France.,Université d'Orléans, CIAMS, Orléans, France
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Kang P, Jiang S, Shull PB, Lo B. Feasibility Validation on Healthy Adults of a Novel Active Vibrational Sensing Based Ankle Band for Ankle Flexion Angle Estimation. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 2:314-319. [PMID: 35402967 PMCID: PMC8940205 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2021.3130206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Goal: In this paper, we introduced a novel ankle band with a vibrational sensor that can achieve low-cost ankle flexion angle estimation, which can be potentially used for automated ankle flexion angle estimation in home-based foot drop rehabilitation scenarios. Methods: Previous ankle flexion angle estimation methods require either professional knowledge or specific equipment and lab environment, which is not feasible for foot drop patients to achieve accurate measurement by themselves in a home-based scenario. To solve the above problems, a prototype was developed based on the assumption that the echo of a vibration signal on the tibialis anterior had different acoustic impedance distribution. By analyzing the frequency spectrum of the echo, the ankle flexion angle can be estimated. Therefore, a surface transducer was utilized to generate frequency-varying active vibration, and a contact microphone was utilized to capture the echo. A portable analog signal processing hub drove the transducer, and was used for echo signal collection from the microphone. Finally, a Random Forest regression model was applied to estimate the ankle flexion angle based on the spectrum amplitude of the echo. Results: Five healthy subjects were recruited in the experiment. The regression estimation error is 4.16 degrees, and the R2 is 0.81. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed ankle band for accurate ankle flexion angle estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiqi Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Shuo Jiang
- College of Electronics and Information EngineeringTongji University Shanghai 201804 China
| | - Peter B Shull
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Benny Lo
- Hamlyn CentreImperial College London London SW7 2BX U.K
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