@article{ref1,
title="A Shoe Insole Delivering Subsensory Vibratory Noise Improves Balance and Gait in Healthy Elderly People",
journal="Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation",
year="2014",
author="Lipsitz, Lewis and Lough, Matthew and Niemi, James B. and Travison, Thomas and Howlett, Harold and Manor, Brad",
volume="96",
number="3",
pages="432-439",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test whether subsensory vibratory noise applied to the sole of the foot using a novel piezo-electric vibratory insole, can significantly improve sensation, enhance balance, and reduce gait variability in elderly people. We also aimed to determine the optimal level of vibratory noise , and whether the therapeutic effect would endure and the user's sensory threshold would remain constant during the course of a day. <br><br>DESIGN: A randomized single-blind crossover study of three subsensory noise stimulation levels on 3 separate days. SETTING: Balance and gait laboratory PARTICIPANTS: 12 healthy community-dwelling elderly volunteers aged 65 - 90 years who could feel the maximum insole vibration. INTERVENTION: A urethane foam insole with the piezo-electric actuators delivering subsensory vibratory noise stimulation to the soles of the feet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Balance, gait, and timed up-and-go tests. <br><br>RESULTS: The vibratory insoles significantly improved performance on the timed up-and-go test, reduced the area of postural sway, and reduced the temporal variability of walking at both 70% and 85% of the sensory threshold and throughout the course of a day. Vibratory sensation thresholds remained relatively stable within and across study days. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides proof of concept that the application of the principle of stochastic resonance to the foot sole sensory system using a new low voltage piezoelectric technology can improve measures of balance and gait that are associated with falls. Effective vibratory noise amplitudes range from 70% to 85% of the sensory thresholds and can be set once daily.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-9993",
doi="10.1016/j.apmr.2014.10.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.10.004"
}