International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Novel Supplementary Tactilebiofeedback System Providing Online Center of Foot Pressure Displacement for Balance Training Rehabilitation: A Preliminary Study

Kazuhiro Yasuda, Yuki Sato, Naoyuki Iimura and Hiroyasu Iwata

Objective: The present study is a preliminary investigation of whether balance training intervention usinga tactilebiofeedback system, providing supplementary vibratory sensory cues related to center of foot pressure displacement, contributes toward improved stability of upright posture as measured post-intervention. Methods: Twelve young adults (age 27.6 ± 4.2 years) were assigned to two groups: tactilebiofeedback and control. In the tactilebiofeedbackgroup, the participants tried to minimize postural sway while standing on a foam rubber mat with their eyes open and wearing the tactilebiofeedback system around the pelvic girdle. In the control group, participants performed the same postural task without the tactilebiofeedback system. Results: Pre and post measurements of postural stability (i.e., sway area, mean velocity of sway) using a force plate showed significantly improved stability of bipedal posture in the tactilebiofeedback compared with the control group. This beneficial effect was maintained for 10 min after the retention test. Conclusions: A tactilebiofeedback system, providing supplementary vibratory sensory cues related to center of foot displacement, was effective in improving postural stability in cases where somatosensory input was not entirely unreliable, and this beneficial effect had a brief carry-over effect.