Article

Objective: To determine whether the plantar perceptual learning task, using a
hardness discrimination training, efficiently improves walking stability in the
elderly. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting:
Elder day-care center.
Participants: Eighty-six elderly people (73.84 SD 5.98 years) who went to an
elder day-care center were randomly assigned evenly to either an intervention or
a control group. Intervention: The intervention group performed a task to
discriminate hardness differences while standing on sponge mats of different
levels of hardness. The control group underwent the same task except that they
were not instructed to discriminate hardness levels of the mats. The tasks were
carried out over a four-week period for 10 days for both groups. Outcome
measures: Outcome was assessed by determining root mean squares of trunk
acceleration during walking. Results: Plantar perception was significantly
improved in the intervention group after training (F = 26.24, p < 0.01). In
addition, changes in root mean square values of acceleration were significantly
greater after training in the intervention group (medial-lateral, 0.36 SD 0.26;
vertical, 0.32 SD 0.24; anterio-posterior, 0.26 SD 0.24) than in the control
group (medial-lateral, 0.14 SD 0.28, vertical, 0.16 SD 0.35, anterio-posterior,
0.12 SD 0.29) (p < 0.05). Changes in walking speed were not significantly
different (p = 0.13) between the intervention (0.06 SD 0.13) and control groups
(0.02 SD 0.14). Conclusion: The plantar perceptual learning task might
efficiently stabilize postural control during walking in the elderly.

Langue : ANGLAIS