Defect, Postural
Conditions
Brief summary
Aim: To examine the acute effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and Kinesio Taping (KT) on lower limb joint proprioception, static standing balance, limits of stability and functional balance performance in community-dwelling older adults. Design: A one-group experimental study with a repeated-measures design. Sample: 24+ community-dwelling older adults Interventions: TENS and KT, TENS and sham taping, KT and sham TENS, and sham TENS and sham taping (30 minutes each) Major outcomes: Outcomes will be evaluated during each of the intervention conditions. Lower limb joint active repositioning error will be evaluated using a joint position sense test; a force platform will be used to assess the single-leg standing body sway path length and velocity; a functional reach test will give a score that reflects the limits of stability of the participants; and the timed up-and-go test will be used to quantify functional balance performance of the participants. Anticipated results and significance: It is predicted that both TENS and KT, when applied together, may best improve lower limb joint proprioception and facilitate all balance performances among the community-dwelling older adults. These interventions could be applied in clinical settings to improve joint proprioception and postural control of the elderly people.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTENS and KT
TENS will be delivered using three E704SD TIMER TENS devices (or similar) through pairs of electrodes placed on the medial and lateral joint lines of the knee and ankle joints and the anterior and posterior joint lines of the hip joint of both legs. In addition, KT (Kinesio Tex Gold) will be applied to major postural muscles including the bilateral gluteus medius (i.e., crosses hip joint), quadriceps (i.e., crosses the knee joint), and gastrocnemius (i.e., crosses ankle joint) of the participants.
BEHAVIORALTENS and sham taping
TENS will be delivered using three E704SD TIMER TENS devices (or similar) through pairs of electrodes placed on the medial and lateral joint lines of the knee and ankle joints and the anterior and posterior joint lines of the hip joint of both legs. In addition, sham tapes will be applied to major postural muscles including the bilateral gluteus medius (i.e., crosses hip joint), quadriceps (i.e., crosses the knee joint), and gastrocnemius (i.e., crosses ankle joint) of the participants.
BEHAVIORALKT and sham TENS
KT (Kinesio Tex Gold) will be applied to major postural muscles including the bilateral gluteus medius (i.e., crosses hip joint), quadriceps (i.e., crosses the knee joint), and gastrocnemius (i.e., crosses ankle joint) of the participants. In addition, sham TENS will be applied on the medial and lateral joint lines of the knee and ankle joints and the anterior and posterior joint lines of the hip joint of both legs.
BEHAVIORALSham TENS and sham taping
Sham TENS will be applied on the medial and lateral joint lines of the knee and ankle joints and the anterior and posterior joint lines of the hip joint of both legs. In addition, sham tapes will be applied to major postural muscles including the bilateral gluteus medius (i.e., crosses hip joint), quadriceps (i.e., crosses the knee joint), and gastrocnemius (i.e., crosses ankle joint) of the participants.
Sponsors
The University of Hong Kong
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Between 60 and 75 years old * Able to ambulate independently and safely without using any walking aid * Able to follow instructions
Exclusion criteria
* Known unstable medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension) * Known sensorimotor or neurological disorders (e.g., stroke and epilepsy) * Significant musculoskeletal disorder of the lower limbs (e.g., osteoarthritis of the knee) * Cognitive disorder * Presence of an implanted electrical device (e.g., cardiac pacemaker) * Cancer * A change in skin sensation * Wound around the lower limb joints * A recent injury that may affect test performance * Allergy to adhesive tapes
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Joint active repositioning test error (using goniometry, in degree) | Day 1 to Day 4 | Lower limb joint proprioception test - Joint active repositioning error of the hip, knee and ankle joints of both lower limbs |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Center of pressure (COP) sway path length in static single-leg standing (using a force platform, in cm) | Day 1 to Day 4 | Static single-leg standing balance performance - COP sway path length in static single-leg standing |
| Center of pressure (COP) sway velocity in static single-leg standing (using a force platform, in m/s) | Day 1 to Day 4 | Static single-leg standing balance performance - COP sway velocity in static single-leg standing |
| Functional Reach Test score (using a cloth measuring tape, in cm) | Day 1 to Day 4 | Limits of stability balance performance - Functional Reach Test score |
| Timed Up-and-Go Test completion time (using a stop watch, in s) | Day 1 to Day 4 | Functional balance performance - Timed Up-and-Go Test completion time |
Contacts
Primary ContactShirley SM Fong, PhD
Outcome results
None listed