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Immediate Effects of Two Different Lower Limb Sensory Stimulation Strategies on Balance and Mobility in Older Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Elderly
Balance
Interventions
Other: compression socks
Other: smooth insoles
Other: textured insoles
Other: smooth socks
Registration Number
NCT05319626
Lead Sponsor
Gazi University
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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
24
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)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention group 1compression socksCompression socks with Textured insoles
Intervention group 2compression socksCompression socks with Smooth insoles
Intervention group 2smooth insolesCompression socks with Smooth insoles
Intervention group 1textured insolesCompression socks with Textured insoles
Intervention group 3textured insolesSmooth socks with Textured insoles
Control groupsmooth insolesSmooth socks with Smooth insoles
Intervention group 3smooth socksSmooth socks with Textured insoles
Control groupsmooth socksSmooth socks with Smooth insoles
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mobility testin 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.

Balance testin 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.

Foot sensation testin 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.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences

🇹🇷

Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey

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