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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Time course of haptic stabilization of posture
Ely Rabin1, Paul DiZio, James R Lackner
1New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology, Northern Boulevard, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USA. elyrabin@hotmail.edu
Experimental Brain Research
|February 28, 2006
Summary
Blindfolded individuals significantly reduce body sway when touching a surface with their index finger. This fingertip contact provides rapid sensory feedback, stabilizing posture almost immediately.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Human Motor Control
Background:
- Postural sway, or body instability, is increased when visual cues are absent.
- The role of tactile feedback from the fingers in modulating postural control is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effects of fingertip contact with a stable surface on postural sway in blindfolded individuals.
- To quantify the time course of postural stabilization following tactile sensory input.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy subjects stood in a heel-to-toe stance with eyes blindfolded.
- Subjects made contact with a stable surface using their index fingertip when prompted.
- Measurements included fingertip contact forces and center of pressure (COP) of the feet.
Main Results:
- Fingertip contact forces stabilized within 0.5 seconds.
- Postural sway, measured by COP, was halved within 1.6 seconds of contact.
- A consistent pattern of fingertip force changes preceded COP changes by approximately 300 ms.
Conclusions:
- The fingertip acts as a sensory-motor probe, stabilizing rapidly upon surface contact.
- Tactile sensory signals from the fingertip are crucial for immediate postural control and sway reduction.
