TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of protruding knob heights in site-specific somatosensory foot orthoses on postural balance in older adults
T2 - A dose-response study
AU - Jor, Abu
AU - Kobayashi, Toshiki
AU - Lai, Chun Hei
AU - Khan, Mohammad Jobair
AU - Lam, Wing Kai
AU - Gao, Fan
AU - Winser, Stanley J.
AU - Zhang, Ming
N1 - This study is partially supported by the General Research Fund granted by the Hong Kong Research Grant Council (No. PolyU15211322)
Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2025/8
Y1 - 2025/8
N2 - Background: The aging process involves many physiological changes that can significantly affect postural balance and stability. This study examines the effects of varying the height of protruding knobs in site-specific stimulating foot orthoses on postural balance and stability in older adults.Methods: A crossover trial was conducted with 10 older adults aged 65 and above. Participants were randomly assigned to four different foot orthosis conditions with varying protruding knobs heights: flat foot orthosis without knobs, stimulating foot orthosis with short, medium-height, and tall protruding knobs. Postural balance and stability were assessed using standardized balance and stability tests, including center of pressure trajectory, computerized dynamic posturography, and subjective feedback. Findings: The current findings revealed that stimulating foot orthosis with tall protruding knobs reduced both anteroposterior and mediolateral center of pressure displacements during standing with eyes open. Additionally, stimulating foot orthosis with tall protruding knobs increased center of pressure maximum velocity during walking on sloped surfaces. In posturography assessments, stimulating foot orthosis with tall and medium-height protruding knobs improved equilibrium scores. Although the differences were not statistically significant, a trend toward decreased comfort was observed with increasing protrusion height.Interpretation: Height of protruding knobs appears to induce a positive dose-response effect on enhancing postural control in older adults. However, addressing the associated discomfort through design modification is crucial for their practical application. Longitudinal study with larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm optimal dosing strategies for site-specific stimulation.
AB - Background: The aging process involves many physiological changes that can significantly affect postural balance and stability. This study examines the effects of varying the height of protruding knobs in site-specific stimulating foot orthoses on postural balance and stability in older adults.Methods: A crossover trial was conducted with 10 older adults aged 65 and above. Participants were randomly assigned to four different foot orthosis conditions with varying protruding knobs heights: flat foot orthosis without knobs, stimulating foot orthosis with short, medium-height, and tall protruding knobs. Postural balance and stability were assessed using standardized balance and stability tests, including center of pressure trajectory, computerized dynamic posturography, and subjective feedback. Findings: The current findings revealed that stimulating foot orthosis with tall protruding knobs reduced both anteroposterior and mediolateral center of pressure displacements during standing with eyes open. Additionally, stimulating foot orthosis with tall protruding knobs increased center of pressure maximum velocity during walking on sloped surfaces. In posturography assessments, stimulating foot orthosis with tall and medium-height protruding knobs improved equilibrium scores. Although the differences were not statistically significant, a trend toward decreased comfort was observed with increasing protrusion height.Interpretation: Height of protruding knobs appears to induce a positive dose-response effect on enhancing postural control in older adults. However, addressing the associated discomfort through design modification is crucial for their practical application. Longitudinal study with larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm optimal dosing strategies for site-specific stimulation.
KW - Gait
KW - Orthotic
KW - Posture
KW - Protruding knobs
KW - Tactile sensitivity
KW - Texture insole
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105011077071&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003325001974?via%3Dihub
U2 - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106624
DO - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106624
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 40706548
AN - SCOPUS:105011077071
SN - 0268-0033
VL - 128
JO - Clinical Biomechanics
JF - Clinical Biomechanics
M1 - 106624
ER -
