title: Effect of a plantar perceptual learning task on walking stability in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the plantar perceptual learning task, using a hardness discrimination training, efficiently improves walking stability in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elder day-care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plantar perceptual learning task might efficiently stabilize postural control during walking in the elderly.
authors: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Science, Kio University, Nara, Japan. nakano.neuroreha@gmail.com
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Nakano
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Nozaki
authors: Kozo
authors: K
authors: Ueta
authors: Michihiro
authors: M
authors: Osumi
authors: Seigou
authors: S
authors: Kawami
authors: Shu
authors: S
authors: Morioka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Walking stability; elderly; perceptual learning; plantar perception; postural control