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

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.

Conditions

• Elderly
• Balance

Interventions

OTHER

compression socks

The compression socks have a clinical pressure of 23-30 mm Hg. The socks are dressed to the participants based on the manufacturer's sizing guidelines.

OTHER

textured insoles

The textured insoles have small, pyramidal peaks with centre-to-centre distances of approximately 2.5 mm (Evalite Pyramid EVA, 3 mm thickness, shore value A50, black). The insoles cut to a range of men's and women's standard EU shoe sizes. During the testing process, they are worn within a standardised shoe.

OTHER

smooth socks

The smooth socks are a commercial stocking that does not have a compression feature, but has a similar thickness and color to the compression stocking. They have standard size.

OTHER

smooth insoles

The smooth insoles have a completely flat surface (Evalite Pyramid EVA, 3 mm thickness, shore value A50, black). The insoles cut to a range of men's and women's standard EU shoe sizes. During the testing process, they are worn within a standardised shoe.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gazi University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sevim Beyza Ölmez · Gazi University

• Selda Başar · Gazi University

• Tuğçe Çoban · Gazi University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-10-18

Primary Completion

2023-04-18

Completion

2023-06-20

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations