Ryan P W Kenny1, Greg Atkinson2, Daniel L Eaves3, Denis Martin4, Naomi Burn5, John Dixon6. 1. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: R.P.W.Kenny@tees.ac.uk. 2. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: Greg.Atkinson@tees.ac.uk. 3. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: D.Eaves@tees.ac.uk. 4. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: D.Martin@tees.ac.uk. 5. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: N.Burn@tees.ac.uk. 6. School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: John.Dixon@tees.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Standing on textured materials can improve static balance, potentially by modulating somatosensory inputs from the soles of the feet. RESEARCH QUESTION: To synthesise and quantify the immediate effects of textured materials on static balance in healthy young and older adults. METHODS: Primary outcomes were the centre of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity, during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Ten crossover studies (n = 318, 58% female) met the inclusion criteria. A random effects meta-analysis model derived pooled standardised mean differences (SMD; Hedges g) to quantify the effects of textured materials. Heterogeneity was quantified with the tau-statistic (τ). A 95% prediction interval quantified the likely range of true effects on COP outcomes in similar future studies. RESULTS: There was a small to moderate beneficial effect for textured materials vs control conditions in: COP displacement during both eyes open (SMD: 0.29; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.64; τ = 0.32) and eyes closed (SMD: 0.75; 95% CI 0.18 to 1.33; τ = 0.55). A trivial to small beneficial effect was observed in COP velocity during eyes open (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI -0.14 to 0.43; τ = 0.18) and eyes closed (SMD: 0.20; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.40; τ = 0.18) for textured materials. The 95% prediction intervals showed texture may not consistently provide beneficial results across studies for all outcomes: COP displacement EC (-0.61 to 2.12), EO (-0.54 to 1.12), COP velocity EC (-0.27 to 0.68) and EO (-0.44 to 0.73). SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, textured materials improved balance, but these effects were heterogeneous. This research may therefore inform applied investigations into balance improvements for healthy populations, for example, in functional movements and sports.
BACKGROUND: Standing on textured materials can improve static balance, potentially by modulating somatosensory inputs from the soles of the feet. RESEARCH QUESTION: To synthesise and quantify the immediate effects of textured materials on static balance in healthy young and older adults. METHODS: Primary outcomes were the centre of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity, during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Ten crossover studies (n = 318, 58% female) met the inclusion criteria. A random effects meta-analysis model derived pooled standardised mean differences (SMD; Hedges g) to quantify the effects of textured materials. Heterogeneity was quantified with the tau-statistic (τ). A 95% prediction interval quantified the likely range of true effects on COP outcomes in similar future studies. RESULTS: There was a small to moderate beneficial effect for textured materials vs control conditions in: COP displacement during both eyes open (SMD: 0.29; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.64; τ = 0.32) and eyes closed (SMD: 0.75; 95% CI 0.18 to 1.33; τ = 0.55). A trivial to small beneficial effect was observed in COP velocity during eyes open (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI -0.14 to 0.43; τ = 0.18) and eyes closed (SMD: 0.20; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.40; τ = 0.18) for textured materials. The 95% prediction intervals showed texture may not consistently provide beneficial results across studies for all outcomes: COP displacement EC (-0.61 to 2.12), EO (-0.54 to 1.12), COP velocity EC (-0.27 to 0.68) and EO (-0.44 to 0.73). SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, textured materials improved balance, but these effects were heterogeneous. This research may therefore inform applied investigations into balance improvements for healthy populations, for example, in functional movements and sports.
Authors: Elena Arce; Rosa Devesa-Rey; Andrés Suárez-García; David González-Peña; Manuel García-Fuente Journal: Materials (Basel) Date: 2022-10-07 Impact factor: 3.748