The significance of somatosensory stimulations to the human foot in the control of postural reflexes

Wu, Guo–Cheng; Chiang, Jin-Hsien

doi:10.1007/pl00005616

Cited by 105 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Previous studies have supported that the cutaneous sensation of the plantar surface important for controlling balance (Perry and Maki 1996;Wu and Chiang 1997). Moreover, cutaneous sensation of the plantar surface has been reported to play an important role in balance control in standing positions (Wu and Chiang 1997;Maki et al 1999;Meyer et al 2004). A decrease in foot sole sensitivity occurs with aging, and this decrease in sensitivity is associated with poorer postural control and an increased risk of falls in the older population (Maki et al 1999;Wells et al 2003;Perry 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Age correlates with impaired control of postural sway (Lord et al 1991;Duncan et al 1992), and the loss of cutaneous sensation is pervasive (Kenshalo 1986). Previous studies have supported that the cutaneous sensation of the plantar surface important for controlling balance (Perry and Maki 1996;Wu and Chiang 1997). Moreover, cutaneous sensation of the plantar surface has been reported to play an important role in balance control in standing positions (Wu and Chiang 1997;Maki et al 1999;Meyer et al 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Saccadic Eye Movement Improves Plantar Sensation and Postural Balance in Elderly Women

Bae

2016

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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Vision, proprioception and plantar sensation contribute to the control of postural balance (PB). Reduced plantar sensation alters postural response and is at an increased risk of fall, and eye movements reduce the postural sway. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the improvement of plantar sensation and PB after saccadic eye movement (SEM) and pursuit eye movement (PEM) in community-dwelling elderly women. Participants (104 females; 75.11 ± 6.25 years) were randomly allocated into the SEM group (n = 52) and PEM groups (n = 52). The SEM group performed eye fixation and SEM for 5 minutes, and the PEM group performed eye fixation and PEM for 5 minutes. The plantar sensation was measured according to the plantar surface area of the feet in contact with the floor surface before and after the intervention. Before and after SEM and PEM with the eyes open and closed, PB was measured as the area (mm 2 ), length (cm), and velocity (cm/s) of the fluctuation of the center of pressure (COP). The plantar sensation of both feet improved in both groups (p < 0.01). Significant decreases in the area, length, and velocity of the COP were observed in the eye open and close in both groups (p < 0.01). The length and velocity of the COP significantly decreased in the SEM group compared to the PEM group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SEM and PEM are effective interventions for improving plantar sensation and PB in elderly women, with greater PB improvement after SEM.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Saccadic Eye Movement Improves Plantar Sensation and Postural Balance in Elderly Women

Bae

2016

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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“…These results supported the hypothesis that the spikes provide relevant tactile information about body position in reference to verticality. As slow adapting receptors code the continuous pressures applied to their field (Kennedy and Inglis 2002), it can be suggested that the spikes are another indented surface that increased the body awareness and improved the spatial representation of the pressure distribution under the feet sole (Wu and Chiang 1997;Kavounoudias et al 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do spike insoles enhance postural stability and plantar-surface cutaneous sensitivity in the elderly?

Palluel

Nougier

Olivier

2008

AGE

116

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Balance problems are often related to a loss of plantar-sensitivity in elderly people. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of plantar cutaneous inputs induced by a spike support surface to the control of stance. Nineteen elderly (mean age 69.0 years, range 62-80) and 19 young adults (mean age 25.9 years, range 21-32) were instructed to stand (standing session) or to walk (walking session) for 5 min with sandals equipped with spike insoles (spike condition). Both sessions also involved a no spike condition in which participants stood or walked for 5 min without these insoles (no spike condition). In all conditions, postural responses were assessed during unperturbed stance and were performed (1) immediately after putting the spike or the no spike insoles, and (2) 5 min after standing or walking with them. Sway parameters, such as centre of foot pressure mean location, surface area, mean speed, root mean square and median frequency on the antero-posterior and medio-lateral axes, were calculated. As postural performances are often related to plantar-surface sensitivity, cutaneous sensitivity threshold was also evaluated with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.Although no immediate effect of the spike insoles was found, results indicated that standing or walking for 5 min with sandals equipped with spike insoles led to a significant improvement of quiet standing in the elderly. Balance improvement was also observed in young adults. The results provided evidence that wearing sandals with spike insoles can contribute, at least temporarily, to the improvement of unperturbed stance in elderly people with relatively intact plantar cutaneous sensation. Further research is needed to assess the effects of longer and discontinuous stimulations with spike insoles on postural control.

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“…The cutaneous mechanoreceptors of the foot sole detect the changes in the application of mechanical loads on the plantar surface during gait and standing, and contribute to controlling the standing balance and postural reflexes in healthy subjects [1][2][3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Hardness and Epidermal Thickness Affect the Vibration Sensitivity of the Foot Sole

Jammes¹,

Viala²,

Weber³

et al. 2017

Clin Res Foot Ankle

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Objective: The cutaneous mechanoreceptors of the foot sole detect the changes in the application of mechanical loads on the plantar surface during gait and standing, and contribute to controlling the standing balance and postural reflexes in healthy subjects. A local thickening of the foot sole skin occurs in response to repetitive load application. We hypothesized that an elevated skin hardness of the foot sole could reduce its mechano sensitivity. Methods:In healthy subjects, we quantified the sensation produced by different amplitudes of vibratory stimulations at two frequencies (25 and 150 Hz). The vibration threshold was determined on the 1 st or 2 nd , and 5 th metatarsal heads, and the heel at each vibration frequency. The Stevens power function (Ψ=k.Φ n ) allowed to obtain regression equations between the estimate (Ψ) of the vibratory stimuli and their physical magnitude (Φ). Any increase in the absolute k value (all were negative) indicated a reduced sensitivity to the lowest loads. The n coefficient measured the global perception. The highest skin hardness (Shore) was measured on the 5th metatarsal head and the heel. In some subjects, superficial skin abrasion of the 5 th metatarsal head was performed and the vibration sensitivity was tested again. Results:The vibration threshold was significantly higher at the level of the 5 th metatarsal head and the heel. The k value was significantly higher at the 25 and 150 Hz frequencies for the 5 th metatarsal head, and only at 25 Hz for the heel. At both vibration frequencies, negative correlations were obtained between the k values and skin hardness. After skin abrasion, the n coefficient was significantly higher at both vibration frequencies. Conclusion:Skin hardness affects the foot sole mechano sensitivity and could alter the control of posture during standing and walking. This indicates that foot care by podiatrist are relevant to improve posture control.

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The significance of somatosensory stimulations to the human foot in the control of postural reflexes

Cited by 105 publications

References 26 publications

Saccadic Eye Movement Improves Plantar Sensation and Postural Balance in Elderly Women

Saccadic Eye Movement Improves Plantar Sensation and Postural Balance in Elderly Women

Do spike insoles enhance postural stability and plantar-surface cutaneous sensitivity in the elderly?

Skin Hardness and Epidermal Thickness Affect the Vibration Sensitivity of the Foot Sole

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