Light touch leads to increased stability in quiet and perturbed balance: Equivalent effects between post-stroke and healthy older individuals

Author(s)

Martinelli, Alessandra Rezende ^[1] ; Coelho, Daniel Boari ^{[1, 2]} ; Teixeira, Luis Augusto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Human Motor Syst Lab, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ ABC, Biomed Engn, Sao Bernardo Do Campo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCE; v. 58, p. 268-278, APR 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Cerebral damage provoked by stroke may lead to deficits of quiet balance control and of the recovery of body equilibrium following an unanticipated postural perturbation. In this investigation we aimed to evaluate the effect of light touch (LT) of an earth-fixed surface on balance stability in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis, taking performance of age-matched healthy participants as reference. Evaluations were made in conditions of full and no visual information. Analysis of quiet balance showed that LT induced higher balance stability, with reduced amplitude and velocity of postural sway. Evaluation of the effect of LT on automatic postural responses was made in the task of recovering body equilibrium following a mechanical perturbation of balance leading to fast forward body sway. Results showed that LT led to reduced amplitude of center of mass displacement following the perturbation, in addition to reduced amplitude and velocity of center of pressure under the feet, and lower activation of the lower legs muscles. Those effects of LT were observed in both the post-stroke and control groups, and did not interact with vision availability. Our results indicated then that individuals who suffered a cerebral stroke can stabilize perturbed and non-perturbed postural responses by lightly touching a stable surface to a similar extent of healthy older individuals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/00639-1 - Postural responses to extrinsic perturbation and sensory constraint post-stroke: effect of additional tactile information
• Grantee: Luis Augusto Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/18173-3 - Postural responses to external perturbation in post-stroke: rehabilitation and improvement of stability by touching a vibrating surface
• Grantee: Alessandra Rezende Martinelli Conterato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate