Altering gait by way of stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot: the immediate effect of wearing textured insoles in older fallers

Hatton, Anna L., Dixon, John, Rome, Keith, Newton, Julia L. and Martin, Denis J. (2012). Altering gait by way of stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot: the immediate effect of wearing textured insoles in older fallers. In: 3rd Congress of the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics (i-FAB) Community, Sydney, Australia, (O21-O21). 11-13 April 2012.


Author Hatton, Anna L.
Dixon, John
Rome, Keith
Newton, Julia L.
Martin, Denis J.
Title of paper Altering gait by way of stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot: the immediate effect of wearing textured insoles in older fallers
Conference Paper Type Published Abstract
Conference name 3rd Congress of the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics (i-FAB) Community
DOI 10.1186/1757-1146-5-S1-O21
Conference location Sydney, Australia
Conference dates 11-13 April 2012
Journal name Journal of Foot and Ankle Research  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank N/R)   Check publisher's open access policy
Place published London, United Kingdom
Publisher BioMed Central
Publication date 2012
Volume number 5
Issue number Suppl 1
ISSN 1757-1146
Start page O21
End page O21
Total pages 1
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary Background

Textured surfaces and shoe insoles can alter standing balance in healthy older adults [1,2] by way of enhanced plantar tactile stimulation. However, it remains unknown whether textured insoles have a similar effect on dynamic balance performance during walking in older people prone to falling. This study explored the immediate effect of textured insoles on gait measurements in older fallers.
Materials and methods

26 older adults (19 women; mean [1SD] age 79.0 [7.1] years) with a self-reported history of ≥ 2 falls in the previous year, conducted tests of level-ground walking over 10m (GaitRITE system), under two conditions: wearing (in their usual footwear) textured insoles and smooth (control) insoles. Gait measurements included velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, base of support, step time, cycle time, swing time, stance time, and single- and double-limb support times.
Results

Paired-samples t-tests showed significant reductions in gait velocity (P=0.016) and stride length (left P=0.028, right P=0.043) when wearing textured insoles. Mean (95% CI) differences were: gait velocity -4.20 (-7.55 to -0.85) cm.s-1, left stride length -2.92 (-5.49 to -0.34) cm, right stride length -2.87 (-5.64 to -0.09) cm. No significant differences were found for the other gait measures.
Conclusions

Stimulating the plantar surface of the foot by way of wearing this type of textured insole causes an immediate effect - in this case a slower, more cautious gait in older fallers. Further work is required to determine how textured insoles can be used to improve gait in older fallers.
Q-Index Code EX
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Published Abstract
Collections: Temporary Review
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Created: Wed, 20 Jun 2012, 12:56:39 EST by Anna Hatton on behalf of School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences