Raghav Hari Krishna VS, Kim J, Chang SH, Choe Y, Park H. Proportional sway-based electrotactile feedback improves lateral standing balance.
Front Neurosci 2024;
18:1249783. [PMID:
38562307 PMCID:
PMC10982372 DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2024.1249783]
[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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Plantar cutaneous augmentation is a promising approach in balance rehabilitation by enhancing motion-dependent sensory feedback. The effect of plantar cutaneous augmentation on balance has been mainly investigated in its passive form (e.g., textured insole) or on lower-limb amputees. In this study, we tested the effect of plantar cutaneous augmentation on balance in its active form (i.e., electrical stimulation) for individuals with intact limbs.
Methods
Ten healthy subjects participated in the study and were instructed to maintain their balance as long as possible on the balance board, with or without electrotactile feedback evoked on the medial side of the heel, synched with the lateral board sway. Electrotactile feedback was given in two different modes: 1) Discrete-mode E-stim as the stimulation on/off by a predefined threshold of lateral board sway and 2) Proportional-mode E-stim as the stimulation frequency proportional to the amount of lateral board sway. All subjects were distracted from the balancing task by the n-back counting task, to test subjects' balancing capability with minimal cognitive involvement.
Results
Proportional-mode E-stim, along with the n-back counting task, increased the balance time from 1.86 ± 0.03 s to 1.98 ± 0.04 s (p = 0.010). However, discrete-mode E-stim did not change the balance time (p = 0.669). Proportional-mode E-stim also increased the time duration per each swayed state (p = 0.035) while discrete-mode E-stim did not (p = 0.053).
Discussion
These results suggest that proportional-mode E-stim is more effective than discrete-mode E-stim on improving standing balance. It is perhaps because the proportional electrotactile feedback better mimics the natural tactile sensation of foot pressure than its discrete counterpart.
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