title: Effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation-A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Systematic reviews of balance control have tended to only focus on the effects of single lower-limb stimulation strategies, and a current limitation is the lack of comparison between different relevant stimulation strategies. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine evidence of effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation and stability. Moderate- to high- pooled effect sizes (Unbiased (Hedges' g) standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.31-0.66) were observed with the addition of noise in a Stochastic Resonance Stimulation Strategy (SRSS), in three populations (i.e., healthy young adults, older adults, and individuals with lower-limb injuries), and under different task constraints (i.e., unipedal, bipedal, and eyes open). A Textured Material Stimulation Strategy (TMSS) enhanced postural control in the most challenging condition-eyes-closed on a stable surface (SMD = 0.61), and in older adults (SMD = 0.30). The Wearable Garments Stimulation Strategy (WGSS) showed no or adverse effects (SMD = -0.68-0.05) under all task constraints and in all populations, except in individuals with lower-limb injuries (SMD = 0.20). Results of our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that future research could consider combining two or more stimulation strategies in intervention treatments for postural regulation and balance problems, depending on individual needs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.|School of Sports, Health and Leisure, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Mei Teng
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1289-9538
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davids
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Jarmo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liukkonen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherland.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orth
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jia Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jaakkola
mesh_terms: D003020:Clothing; D006801:Humans; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D004856:Postural Balance; D013784:Textiles