[Development and test of a new plantar pressure control device for foot unloading].
OBJECTIVE
To validate a new plantar pressure control device able to detect excessive plantar pressure on-line and to improve the subject's awareness of the gait pattern in order to correct and optimize the load distribution patterns. The aim of this study was to verify the feasibility of a deliberate and partial unload of the first metatarsal head.


METHODS
Eight healthy subjects were equipped with the plantar pressure sensors integrated in customized insoles. They were told to unload the first metatarsal head of the right foot by 5%. During the trials, the auditory and visual signals inform the subject of an excessive, insufficient or correct unload.


RESULTS
Five subjects over eight succeeding in modifying significantly their gait pattern and in unloading by 5% the first metatarsal head. The unload is effective in 70.7% of the trials. However, the subjects were spontaneously inclined to reduce peak pressure under the first metatarsal head beyond the critical peak plantar pressure threshold (48.2% of the trials).


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed the feasibility of a partial and deliberate foot unloading in using biofeedback device but emphasized the subject's difficulty to control a discriminated and accurate unload of the first metatarsal head. That points out the necessity of learning period. The baropodometric biofeedback rehabilitation focuses on the subject's capacities to modify its own locomotor pattern. It would be used as primary and secondary prevention means of diabetic foot ulceration.
Femery
V
V
Laboratoire détudes de la motricité humaine, faculté des sciences du sport et de l'éducation physique, EA 3608, université du droit et de la santé de Lille-2, 9, rue de l'Université, 59790 Ronchin, France.
Potdevin
F
F
Thevenon
A
A
Moretto
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D011312:Pressure; D012775:Shoes