The Role of Textured Material in Supporting Perceptual-Motor Functions

Abstract

Simple deformation of the skin surface with textured materials can improve human perceptual-motor performance. The implications of these findings are inexpensive, adaptable and easily integrated clothing, equipment and tools for improving perceptual-motor functionality. However, some clarification is needed because mixed results have been reported in the literature, highlighting positive, absent and/or negative effects of added texture on measures of perceptual-motor performance. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of textured materials for enhancing perceptual-motor functionality. The systematic review uncovered two variables suitable for sub-group analysis within and between studies: participant age (groupings were 18–51 years and 64.7–79.4 years) and experimental task (upright balance and walking). Evaluation of studies that observed texture effects during upright balance tasks, uncovered two additional candidate sub-groups for future work: vision (eyes open and eyes closed) and stability (stable and unstable). Meta-analysis (random effects) revealed that young participants improve performance by a small to moderate amount in upright balance tasks with added texture (SMD = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.46–0.09, Z = 2.99, P = 0.001; Tau2 = 0.02; Chi2 = 9.87, df = 6, P = 0.13; I2 = 39.22). Significant heterogeneity was found in, the overall effect of texture: Tau2 = 0.13; Chi2 = 130.71, df = 26, P<0.0001; I2 = 85.98%, pooled samples in upright balance tasks: Tau2 = 0.09; Chi2 = 101.57, df = 13, P<0.001; I2 = 72.67%, and in elderly in upright balance tasks: Tau2 = 0.16; Chi2 = 39.42, df = 5, P<0.001; I2 = 83.05%. No effect was shown for walking tasks: Tau2 = 0.00; Chi2 = 3.45, df = 4, P = 0.27, I2 = 22.99%. Data provides unequivocal support for utilizing textured materials in young healthy populations for improving perceptual-motor performance. Future research is needed in young healthy populations under conditions where visual and proprioceptive information is challenged, as in high-speed movements, or where use of equipment mediates the performer-environment interaction or where dysfunctional information sources ‘compete’ for attention. In elderly and ailing populations data suggests further research is required to better understand contexts where texture can facilitate improved perceptual-motor performance.

Effects of Textured Socks on Balance Control During Single-leg Standing in Healthy Adults

“…In a recent review, Orth et al (2013) concluded that adding texture to the plantar surface of the feet via textured insoles or surfaces improves perceptual-motor performance (see also Palluel et al, 2008). For example, improvements in the postural sway of older adults when standing on textured insoles were reported by Qui et al (2012).…”

“…Waddington and Adams (2003) demonstrated that male soccer players exhibited better discrimination between different extents of subtalar inversion when a textured insole was placed in their shoe. In a recent systematic review, Orth et al (2013) concluded that there is clear support for using textured materials to improve perceptual-motor performance. For example, textured insoles have been shown to decrease postural sway, and enhance balance, in older people (Qiu et al, 2012).…”

Effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation—A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…For dependent group designs, effect size estimates for lower-limb stimulation strategies for the control group in each study were standardized using the control group standard deviation value [12]. However, the pooled standard deviation was used as the denominator in independent group designs [51].…”

“…To date, systematic reviews have tended to only focus on a single stimulation strategy such as the role of textured materials [12], shoes and ankle appliances [3] and ankle taping and bracing [13]. Two of these studies quantified the review in a meta-analysis [12,13]. These studies have provided an overview of the effects of specific lower-limb stimulation strategies on balance control, but have been limited in not comparing the relevance of different stimulation strategies.…”

Immediate Effect of Textured Insole on Static Balance in Individuals With Flexible Flatfoot

“…Recently, the textured insoles have also been considered in improvement of sensation status of plantar surface [20] or ankle injuries [21]. The use of textured insoles is based on the assumption that it changes the discharge rate of the mechanical receptors [19,22,23]. In addition, based on the theory of sensory reweighting, enhancement of sending data via mechanoreceptors may somewhat offset the inadequacy of other sources of balance [21,24,25].…”