Influence of Plantar Hardness Discrimination Training on Center-of-Gravity Sway while Standing on One Leg: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract. [Purpose] We investigated the influence of plantar hardness discrimination training on center-of-gravity sway while standing on one-leg.[Subjects] Twenty healthy adult volunteers were randomly divided into intervention (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10).[Methods] The intervention group subjects carried out 10-day plantar hardness discrimination studies on sponges with 5 different levels of hardness. The control group underwent the same training except that they were not instructed to discriminate sponge hardness. Center-of-gravity (COG) sway while standing on one-leg with the eyes open or closed was measured before and after the training. Statistical analyses were performed the COG path length, enveloped area and rectangular area values.[Results] The number of correct answers for hardness discrimination significantly increased with the number of training days. There were significant reductions in the COG path length, enveloped area and rectangular area values after training in the intervention group compared to their respective values prior to training. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in these 3 parameters.[Conclusion] Our results suggest that the ability of healthy individuals to regulate center-of-gravity sway while standing on one-leg improved with enhancement of plantar perceptual ability through hardness discrimination training.

Effect of a plantar perceptual learning task on walking stability in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial

“…None of these had participated in earlier studies by our group. [13][14][15][16][17] Individuals were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: age 65 years or older, community dwelling, had not visited a primary care physician within the previous 12 months, ability to walk independently, and a Mini-Mental State Examination 23 score of 24 or greater. We also used an interview to exclude participants based on the following exclusion criteria: severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorder; pathologies associated with increased risk of falls, such as Parkinson's disease or stroke; osteoporosis; the use of psychotropic drugs; and peripheral neuropathy.…”

“…Procedures described below were in accordance with those in previous studies. [13][14][15][16][17] We used squares of sponge mat (INOAC, Aichi, Japan) with five different levels of hardness (58.8, 78.5, 107.9, 200, 308 N/100 πcm 2 ), as measured by an automatic hardness tester (type JIS K6400, Asker JA). All were made of the same material and were of the same size (30 cm × 30 cm 2 × 40 mm thick).…”

“…[14][15][16] Moreover, we reported that the task significantly improved the center-of-gravity sway of healthy adults standing on one leg. 17 These studies demonstrated that postural control improves through the plantar perceptual learning task.…”

Influence of a Plantar Perceptual Learning Task on Brain Activity: a fNIRS Study

“…The subjects performed a plantar perceptual learning task with sponges of different hardness that were arranged on the floor [1][2][3][4][5] . We used squares of sponge mat with the five different levels of hardness (INOAC Co., Aichi, Japan).…”

“…In addition, Morioka et al reported that the center-ofgravity sway and FRT of hemiplegic stroke patients, as well as elderly and very old individuals, were improved significantly by the task [2][3][4] . Moreover, we reported that the center-of-gravity sway of healthy adults, while standing on one leg, was improved significantly by the task 5) . These reports demonstrate that postural control improves through plantar perceptual learning.…”