Postural Balance
Conditions
Keywords
Ankle stability; dynamic balance; compression garments; muscle contraction; tensiomyography
Brief summary
This randomized study will compare a novel tensioning compression sock with a commercially available elastic foot and ankle compression sock in healthy adults. Participants will wear their assigned sock during waking hours for at least 6 hours per day for 7 days. Balance, ankle stability, grip strength, and tibialis anterior muscle contraction characteristics will be assessed at baseline and after the 7-day intervention. Participants will also report comfort and confidence in balance and stability after the intervention.
Detailed description
Participants will attend two in-person visits separated by 7 days. After consent, screening, and baseline testing, participants will be randomized using a computer-generated sequence concealed in sequentially numbered opaque envelopes. Participants will receive either the Trak Ground Wear C001 High-Performance Compression Sock or a commercially available elastic foot and ankle compression sock and will wear it for at least 6 hours per day during waking hours. Assessments include the Y-Balance Test, Side Hop Test, Biodex Balance System, handgrip dynamometry, and tensiomyography of the tibialis anterior. A post-intervention questionnaire will assess perceived comfort, balance confidence, stability, and willingness to wear the assigned sock.
Interventions
OTHERNovel Tensioning Compression Sock
Participants assigned to the control group will receive a commercially available elastic foot and ankle compression sock. Participants will be instructed to wear their assigned sock during waking hours for a minimum of 6 hours per day over the 7-day intervention period.
OTHERElastic Compression Sock
Participants assigned to the control group will receive a commercially available elastic foot and ankle compression sock. Participants will be instructed to wear their assigned sock during waking hours for a minimum of 6 hours per day over the 7-day intervention period.
Sponsors
University of Central Florida
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants are assigned to one of two sock groups and remain in that group throughout the 7-day intervention period.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 years or older * Able to perform sit-to-stand, jumping, and single-leg standing without pain or discomfort * Able to read, write, and speak sufficient English to complete the study questionnaire * Shoe size within the study sock range: men's sizes 4-14 or women's sizes 6-13
Exclusion criteria
* Feelings of ankle instability * An ankle injury within the previous 12 months * Previous surgery on either lower extremity * History of torn ligaments or cartilage at the hip, knee, or ankle * Radicular symptoms in either lower extremity * Allergy to sock materials (80 percent nylon, 14 percent polyester, or 6 percent elastane) * Unable to consent * Pregnant * Prisoner
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Y-Balance Test | 7 days | Mean Change From Baseline in Y-Balance Test Reach Distance at day 7 . Three recorded trials are completed in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions on each limb and averaged. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Side Hop Test | 7 days | Change From Baseline in Side Hop Test Score at day 7. Participants perform repeated single-leg side hops across lines 40 centimeters apart for 30 seconds; the highest of two trials is recorded. |
| Biodex Balance System | 7 days | Mean Change From Baseline in Biodex Athlete Single Leg Stability Score at day 7. Three 20-second trials are completed on each lower extremity. |
| Grip Strength | 7 days | Mean Change From Baseline in Handgrip Strength at Day 7. Two maximal contractions are performed with each hand; the highest value for each hand is recorded. |
| Tensiomyography | 7 days | Mean Change From Baseline in Tibialis Anterior Contraction Time at Day 7. Two tensiomyography measurements are obtained for each limb and averaged. |
| Confidence Survey | 7 days | Participant-Reported Comfort, Balance Confidence, Stability, and Willingness to Wear the Assigned Sock at Day 7. |
Contacts
CONTACTWilliam J Hanney, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORWilliam J Hanney, PhD
UCF
Outcome results
None listed