Balance, Elderly
Conditions
Brief summary
Falls are a major public health problem worldwide. As a result of changes in sensory system capacity with aging, postural control decreases and the risk of falling increases. Various lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies are applied to compensate for these changes in sensory system capacity. It has been determined that these practices can have positive effects on postural control. Among these stimulation strategies, compression stockings and textured insoles are frequently preferred because of their cost-effectiveness and ease of application. For these purpose, this study aims to examine the immediate effects of wearing textured insoles and compression stockings on balance and mobility in older adults. Thus, we will sight to discern whether interventions of the textured insoles and compression materials improve sensory afferent feedback in the foot.
Detailed description
Within-subject experimental design with all participants tests under each of four randomly organized conditions: (i) Compression socks with textured insoles, (ii) Compression socks with smooth insoles, (iii) Smooth socks with textured insoles, (iv) Smooth socks with smooth insoles. With each condition, the participants are given a 5-minute warm-up period to get used to the insoles and stocking conditions, and then the testing process consisting of balance, mobility and foot sensation assessments is started. All data are collected randomly in a single testing session by the same researcher blind to the conditions.Before all data collection, each participant has a practice of test process to ensure familiarity with the devices and the procedures. A rest period of 10 minutes are given between applications.
Interventions
OTHERtextured insoles
The textured insoles have small, pyramidal peaks with centre-to-centre distances of approximately 2.5 mm (Evalite Pyramid EVA, 3 mm thickness, shore value A50, black). The insoles cut to a range of men's and women's standard EU shoe sizes. During the testing process, they are worn within a standardised shoe.
OTHERsmooth socks
The smooth socks are a commercial stocking that does not have a compression feature, but has a similar thickness and color to the compression stocking. They have standard size.
OTHERcompression socks
The compression socks have a clinical pressure of 23-30 mm Hg. The socks are dressed to the participants based on the manufacturer's sizing guidelines.
OTHERsmooth insoles
The smooth insoles have a completely flat surface (Evalite Pyramid EVA, 3 mm thickness, shore value A50, black). The insoles cut to a range of men's and women's standard EU shoe sizes. During the testing process, they are worn within a standardised shoe.
Sponsors
Gazi University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Community-dwelling older adults over the 65 years old with ability to stand independently without using any assistive devices * No history of falls in the last 12 months * Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \> 24 (normal) * Berg Balance Test score \> 40
Exclusion criteria
* Self-reported neurological, vestibular or neuromuscular diseases * Current history of peripheral neuropathy * Presence of severe visual impairment (such as cataracts or glaucoma)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sensation test | in an average of one and half hour | Foot plantar sense will be assessed with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test. The foot sensation test will be performed (barefoot) immediately after each condition to determine the effect of the condition. 4 times in total. |
| Balance test | in an average of one and half hour | Balance will be assessed using the Biodex-BioSway™ Portable Balance System, in different visual situations and support surfaces during bilateral standing. It will be measured with each condition, 4 times in total. |
| Mobility test | in an average of one and half hour | Mobility will be assessed by selecting Time Up and Go and Walk parameters in the BTS G-Walk wearable motion analysis system. Time Up and Go test determines functional mobility, and fall risk. Walk test evaluates quantitative analysis for the performance of walking. It will be measured with each condition, 4 times in total. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed