Article

Somatosensory deficit is a common feature of MS. One method serving
to combat impaired plantar sensation may be to provide enhanced sensory feedback
from the sole of the foot by changing the characteristics of a shoe sole or
surface. This study aimed to inspect the effect of textured insoles on gait
patterns in a group of MS patients. METHODS: 14 patients with MS and 10 healthy
control subjects were recruited for this study. Plantar sensation was evaluated
using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Kinematic, kinetic and EMG gait data were
collected for MS patients walking with flat shoes only and again with shoes and a
textured insole in contact with the sole of patients' feet. RESULTS: A reduction
in plantar sensation was identified in the MS patient group compared to the
control group. Wearing the textured insoles there was a significant increase in
hip and knee sagittal plane excursion, maximum ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion
and in peak acceleration ground reaction force. Throughout the stance phase, EMG
activity of shank muscles was typically found to increase whilst wearing the
textured insoles. CONCLUSION: Despite some positive changes in
gait patterns when wearing textured insoles, an increased foot-shank angle in
terminal stance suggests that patients did not propel their swing limb through
increased contribution of ankle plantarflexor muscles, perhaps favouring more
proximal muscle groups. Whilst the textured insoles may alter gait patterns in MS
patients, their contribution to achieving a more regular gait pattern with
sufficient propulsion from ankle plantarflexors remains uncertain.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS