title: Effects of a stocking on plantar sensation in individuals with and without ankle instability.
abstract: It is unknown whether footwear has a beneficial or deleterious effect on cutaneous sensitivity. We aimed to test a preliminary model of footwear and its effect on tactile perception among groups of controls, copers, and chronic ankle instability participants.
  
  
  
  Light-touch thresholds were obtained for 45 participants (age: 20.2 ± 2.8 years; height: 167.6 ± 9.8 cm; mass: 66.3 ± 14.7 kg) using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments at the head of the first metatarsal (1MT), base of the fifth metatarsal (5MT), and calcaneus (CAL). Baseline measurements were compared with those taken after wearing a nylon stocking for 5 min.
  
  
  
  Thresholds were increased at all 3 sites when the stocking was worn (P < 0.05). Controls had an increase at 1MT, copers had an increase at 5MT and CAL, and chronic ankle instability had an increase at CAL.
  
  
  
  Cutaneous thresholds increase when subjects wear a nylon stocking, a model for the sensory effects of footwear. A history of ankle injury appears to influence which sites have altered sensibility. Muscle Nerve, 2016. Muscle Nerve 55: 513-519, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 209 Belk Gym, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Burcal
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hoch
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Erik A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wikstrom
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000842:Ankle / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments; chronic ankle instability; footwear; mechanoreceptor; sensation