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Fingertip touch improves postural stability in patients with peripheral neuropathy.
R Dickstein1, C L Shupert, F B Horak
1Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel. rdikste@post.tau.ac.il
Gait & Posture
|October 16, 2001
Summary
Fingertip touch significantly improves balance in individuals with diabetic neuropathy. Light touch provides somatosensory feedback, enhancing postural stability comparable to heavier support.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes somatosensory loss in the feet, impairing postural stability.
- Maintaining balance is crucial for preventing falls, especially in individuals with compromised sensory input.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if fingertip touch can enhance postural stability in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- To compare the effects of light touch, heavy touch, and no touch on postural sway.
Main Methods:
- Eight patients with diabetic neuropathy and eight healthy controls stood on firm and foam surfaces with eyes open/closed.
- Postural sway was measured under three fingertip touch conditions: light (somatosensory input), heavy (mechanical support), and no touch.
- Antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) center of pressure (CoP) sway and trunk velocity were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Subjects with neuropathy exhibited greater sway than controls, particularly on foam surfaces.
- Both light and heavy fingertip touch improved postural stability similarly in both groups.
- Light touch reduced trunk velocity and CoP sway, suggesting a feedforward mechanism for balance control.
Conclusions:
- Fingertip somatosensory input via light touch is an effective strategy for improving postural stability.
- These findings suggest that interventions like using a cane could benefit patients with peripheral neuropathy by providing external somatosensory cues.