Background: Advanced age brings a loss of plantar sensation, represented, for example, as higher sensation thresholds in standardized testing. This is thought to contribute to an increased risk of falls among older adults - an intuitive premise that has yet to be fully investigated, especially in the context of walking balance. The purpose of this study was to quantify the association between plantar sensation and the instability elicited by a suite of walking balance perturbations that differ in direction and context in a cohort of n = 28 older adults (73.0 ± 5.9 yrs).
Methods: We measured plantar sensation using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and quantified margins of stability (MoS) and whole-body angular momentum (WBAM) during habitual walking and in response to optical flow perturbations, lateral waist-pull perturbations, and treadmill-induced slips.
Results: Our two major results were that higher monofilament thresholds (i.e., worse plantar sensation) in older adults associated with: (1) larger anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) MoS and increased transverse plane WBAM (p ≤ 0.031) during habitual walking, and (2) larger decreases in MoS, MoS and larger increases in transverse plane WBAM in response to lateral waist pull perturbations (p ≤ 0.018). We found no associations between plantar sensation and responses to other perturbation contexts.
Conclusions: We conclude that there is an association between worse plantar sensation and gait instability, both during habitual unperturbed walking and in response to some perturbation contexts. These results should build confidence that interventions designed to improve plantar sensation for older adults, possibly through insoles or footwear modifications, could be critical for reducing gait-related falls in at-risk populations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01555-6 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Plantar sensation associates with gait instability in older adults.
J Neuroeng Rehabil
January 2025
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Background: Advanced age brings a loss of plantar sensation, represented, for example, as higher sensation thresholds in standardized testing. This is thought to contribute to an increased risk of falls among older adults - an intuitive premise that has yet to be fully investigated, especially in the context of walking balance. The purpose of this study was to quantify the association between plantar sensation and the instability elicited by a suite of walking balance perturbations that differ in direction and context in a cohort of n = 28 older adults (73.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnkle joint position sense acuity differences among stroke survivors at three walking ability levels: a cross-sectional study.
Front Neurol
January 2025
College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Background: Despite the importance of lower limb sensation in walking highlighted in systematic reviews, there is limited research investigating the effect of proprioceptive deficits after stroke and any relationship with walking ability.
Objectives: With stroke survivors of different walking ability, this study aimed to (1) explore side (affected/unaffected) and movement direction (inversion/plantar flexion) effects in ankle joint position sense (JPS) acuity, and (2) compare ankle JPS acuity between groups of stroke survivors with different walking ability.
Methods: Seventy subacute stroke survivors were recruited and divided into three groups based on walking ability, as determined by their gait speed on the 10-Meter Walking Test: household (<0.
An examination of ankle joint position sense, postural control and associated neuromuscular deficits in patients with plantar fasciitis: a cross-sectional analysis with advanced biomechanical and psychosocial correlates.
J Orthop Surg Res
January 2025
Program of Physical Therapy, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Ankle joint position sense (AJPS) accuracy and postural control are crucial for maintaining balance and stability, particularly in individuals with plantar fasciitis who may experience proprioceptive and functional impairments. Understanding how psychosocial factors, such as pain catastrophizing, and biomechanical measures, like muscle strength and gait parameters related to proprioception and postural control, can inform more effective treatment approaches. This study aimed to (1) examine the relationship between AJPS accuracy and biomechanical factors-including postural stability, lower limb muscle strength, and gait parameters-in individuals with plantar fasciitis d (2) analyze the impact of psychosocial factors, including pain catastrophizing, physical activity level, and quality of life, on AJPS accuracy and postural control in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of LASER therapy on plantar fasciitis pain: illuminating a promising treatment approach - a systematic review.
Lasers Med Sci
January 2025
Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Budhera-Gurugram, Haryana, 122006, India.
Numerous research studies have delved into the potential effect of LASER therapy on alleviating pain associated with plantar fasciitis. However, the distinct effects of both High Intensity and Low Intensity LASER therapy (HILT/LILT) on addressing plantar fasciitis pain have not been thoroughly investigated. This systematic review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of the present body of literature regarding the use of LASER therapy in managing pain related to plantar fasciitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The goal of this study was to examine the effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on muscle activity during walking after lower-limb amputation. Amputation results in a loss of sensory feedback and alterations in gait biomechanics, including co-contractions of antagonist muscles about the knee and ankle, and reduced pelvic obliquity range-of-motion and pelvic drop. SCS can restore sensation in the missing limb, but its effects on muscle activation and gait biomechanics have not been studied in people with lower-limb amputation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!