title: Effects of textured insoles on balance in people with Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Degradation of the somatosensory system has been implicated in postural instability and increased falls risk for older people and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Here we demonstrate that textured insoles provide a passive intervention that is an inexpensive and accessible means to enhance the somatosensory input from the plantar surface of the feet.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 healthy older adults (controls) and 20 participants with PD were recruited for the study. We evaluated effects of manipulating somatosensory information from the plantar surface of the feet using textured insoles. Participants performed standing tests, on two different surfaces (firm and foam), under three footwear conditions: 1) barefoot; 2) smooth insoles; and 3) textured insoles. Standing balance was evaluated using a force plate yielding data on the range of anterior-posterior and medial-lateral sway, as well as standard deviations for anterior-posterior and medial-lateral sway.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the firm surface with eyes open both the smooth and textured insoles reduced medial-lateral sway in the PD group to a similar level as the controls. Only the textured insole decreased medial-lateral sway and medial-lateral sway standard deviation in the PD group on both surfaces, with and without visual input. Greatest benefits were observed in the PD group while wearing the textured insoles, and when standing on the foam surface with eyes closed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggested that textured insoles may provide a low-cost means of improving postural stability in high falls-risk groups, such as people with PD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China ; Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ; School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ; Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Keith W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Davids
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ewald M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.affiliation: Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ; Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Silburn
authors.affiliation: International Children's Orthotic Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Netscher
authors.affiliation: Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Graham K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Kerr
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture