Rhea Benson
Rhea is a senior at IU majoring in Fitness and Wellness and Exercise Science. She has been part of the Sensorimotor and Neurophysiology lab for 2 years. Her research experience includes aiding the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies and working on a study that looks at how tactile simulation at the foot affects balance. After graduation, Rhea will be starting a doctoral of physical therapy program at IUPUI
Balance Effects of Tactile Stimulation at the Foot
Background: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity among older adults, making balance a key factor in quality of life and ability to live independently. Balance relies on several types of sensory information, including somatosensory senses such as touch and position sense (proprioception). As these senses decline in older adults, there is a question of whether shoes limit somatosensory feedback from the floor.
Objective: Textured insoles are designed to stimulate the soles of the feet to enhance tactile feedback. Here we asked whether textured insoles improve balance in healthy young adults.
Methods: In 20 participants, we assessed static and dynamic balance under four different footwear conditions: regular insoles, textured insoles, barefoot, and minimalist shoes. Static balance was evaluated using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) test, which includes double, single and tandem leg stance with eyes closed. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). This entails reaching one foot to touch the floor in various directions while balancing on the other leg.
Results: Footwear condition affected dynamic balance, with textured insoles being significantly better than barefoot in the SEBT for both the posteromedial and the posterolateral reach direction. There was no effect of condition for the BESS test.
Conclusions: Increased tactile stimulation of the feet using textured insoles may have advantages for dynamic balance control. Further research on how these conditions compare in older adults may lead to improved footwear recommendations to reduce fall risk and injuries for that population.
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