Using a Vibrotactile Biofeedback Device to Augment Foot Pressure During Walking in Healthy Older Adults: A Brief Report

Runners' responses to a biofeedback intervention aimed to reduce tibial acceleration differ within and between individuals

An increment in peak tibial acceleration (PTA) may be related to an increased risk of running-rated injury. Many authors believe that reducing PTA through improved shock-absorption could, therefore, help prevent injury. The aim of the current study was, therefore, to investigate the individual responses of participants to a biofeedback intervention aimed at reducing PTA.11 participants (two females, nine males; 43 ± 10 years; stature: 1.74 ± 0.07 m; body mass: 74 ± 11 kg; distance running a week: 19 ± 14 km; 5 km time: 24 ± 3 min) received an intervention of six sessions of multisensory biofeedback aimed at reducing PTA. Mean PTA and kinematic patterns were measured at baseline, directly after the feedback intervention and a month after the end of the intervention. Group as well as single-subject analyses were performed to quantify differences between the sessions. A significant decrease of 26 per cent (effect size: Hedges' g = 0.94) in mean PTA was found a month after the intervention. No significant changes or large effect sizes were found for any group differences in the kinematic variables. However, on an individual level, shock-absorbing solutions differed both within and between participants. The data suggest participants did not learn a specific solution to reduce PTA but rather learned the concept of reducing PTA. These results suggest future research in gait retraining should investigate individual learning responses and focus on the different strategies participants use both between and within sessions. For training purposes, participants should not focus on learning one running strategy, but they should explore several strategies.

Vibration motor stimulation device in smart leggings that promotes motor performance in older people

Globally, accelerated aging is taking place alongside increased life expectancy of the population. This poses a challenge to maintaining autonomy and independence as people age but preventing falls and disabilities. Currently, there are few specific technologies on the market that are focused on the rehabilitation and promotion of autonomy in older adults. This study presents the development of a prototype (Myoviber®) of a low-cost, wearable everyday garment, designed to stimulate the lower limbs by the application of focal muscle vibration and incorporating technical textile qualities. The presented approach is proactive and preventive, maintaining functionality for the elderly while integrating electronic technology into an everyday garment. For this, a comprehensive study was carried out that included the design of the leggings through anthropometric analyses, the development of vibration devices at a stable frequency located in the knee extensor muscle and a smart belt with wireless connection, and the optimization of the battery autonomy. The development of the prototype was carried out through the construction of a vibratory device, which was validated with biomechanical evaluations. The results show an increase in the functional capacity of the lower limbs, in relation to motor tasks such as postural balance and gait in older people.

Wearable Technologies Using Peripheral Neuromodulation to Enhance Mobility and Gait Function in Older Adults - A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Mounting evidence suggests that wearable technologies using peripheral neuromodulation can provide novel ways of improving mobility and gait function in various patient populations including older adults. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an overview of wearable technologies/devices to improve mobility and gait function through noninvasive peripheral neuromodulation in older adults over the age of 65 and to indicate the suggested mechanism of action behind these technologies.

METHODS

We performed searches for articles and conference abstracts written in English, using the following databases: Embase Classic+Embase from 1947 to July 15, 2021; Ovid MEDLINE®; Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, In-Data-Review & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Daily and Versions® from 1946 to July 15, 2021; PubMed; and Scopus.

RESULTS

Forty-one technologies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. We found that the primary implementation of the 41 technologies can be divided into three main categories: sensory substitution, sensory augmentation (open loop, closed loop), and motor stimulation. Using these technologies, various aspects of mobility are treated or addressed, including e.g., gait function, fall risk, foot drop, navigating environment, postural control.

CONCLUSIONS

This narrative review summarizes wearable technologies that are currently commercially available and in stages of research and development. Overall, studies suggest that wearable peripheral neuromodulation technologies can improve aspects of mobility for older adults. Existing literature suggests that these technologies may lead to physiological changes in the brain through sensory re-weighting or other neuroplastic mechanisms to enhance the performance of mobility and gait function in older adults over the age of 65.