The Effect of Brief Moving Vibratory Stimulation on the Feet for Postural Control in a Comparison Study

Purpose: An important medical and social problem for the elderly is falls. Some studies have focused on the effect of static vibratory stimulation for human postural control. There is limited research on brief moving vibratory stimuli for maintaining postural stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of brief moving vibratory stimulation on the toes and the soles of the feet for standing balance in adults of different ages. Method: The subjects were divided into two groups, the young group (mean age 23.7 years, 12 males and 7 females), and the elderly group (mean age 81.1 years, 6 males and 14 females). The system can produce mechanical vibrations up to 100 Hz. The 8 vibrators were placed in the foot mat (30 mm × 30 mm). In the study, six directions (right side, left side, forward, backward, clockwise, counterclockwise) were used in the brief moving vibratory stimuli. The instrument for measuring standing balance was a force platform. The subjects were instructed to stand relaxed, with bare feet, and their eyes closed for a period of 10 seconds on the mat placed over the force platform. After quiet standing, the subjects tried to remain standing while the vibrators stimulated the soles of the feet for one second. Subjects kept standing after completion of stimuli for more than one second. The six different vibration patterns were randomly used. Result: According to the data of body sway parameters, there were no significant differences between stimulation and non-stimulation in both groups. The data on body sway in the elderly group was greater than that in the young group. The data on body sway with stimulation was greater than that of body sway without stimulation. Moreover, the anteroposterior body sways during the vibratory stimulation pattern in the condition of back or forth direction were greater than the lateral sway in the same vibratory stimulation pattern. Conclusion: The results suggest that the brief moving vibratory stimulation system may be positively affected by postural balance within the base of support. It might be hypothesized that the system may be able to help in the control of body sway.

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