Sex Differences in the Footprint Analysis During the Entire Gait Cycle in a Functional Equinus Condition: Novel Cross Sectional Research

Myofascial induction technique changes plantar pressures variables compared to a simulated laser. A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The fascial system is made up of large number of mechanoreceptors and cells that regulate their tension, such as myofibroblasts, in addition to an extracellular matrix. The treatment of myofascial induction has shown in the static imprint in a quasi-experimental study comparing the effect before and after the technique, but there are no studies compared with a control with no real intervention. The objective of this research is to check the effects of the myofascial Induction technique, compared with a simulated Laser in plantar footprint variables in asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS

Thirty-six healthy participants were recruited to carry out a single-blind clinical study in randomizated two groups. Experimental intervention group performed a bilateral plantar fascia of Myofascial Induction technique. Control intervention group performed a simulated Laser. The time of application of the techniques were 5 min for both interventions. The variables recorded were Surface, mean pressure and maximum pressure for each region of the foot, rear foot, midfoot and fore foot.

RESULTS

Both groups were homogeneous prior to the interventions. The significant differences found later were in the forefoot surface variable (p = 0.026) where there was an increase in the area in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS

The myofascial induction technique shows effects on the static plantar footprint by increasing the surface of the forefoot compared to the application of a simulated laser. Registration in ClinicalTrial.gov (ID: NCT04628299) Registered in clinicalTrials.govhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04628299.

Effects of neural mobilization of sciatic nerve and its branches in plantar foot pressures and stabilometry

Benefits of neural mobilization (NM) have been described in musculoskeletal patients. The effects of NM on balance appear to be unclear in research, and no studies have tested the possible effects of NM on plantar pressures. Eighteen subjects were evaluated pre and post bilateral gliding of the sciatic nerve and its branches posterior tibial nerve, lateral dorsocutaneous, medial and intermediate dorsocutaneous nerves. Static variables of the plantar footprint and stabilometric variables were measured in a pre-post study. We found no differences in plantar pressure variables, Rearfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.376), Rearfoot medium pressure (p = 0.106), Rearfoot surface (p = 0.896), Midfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.975), Midfoot medium pressure (p = 0.950), Midfoot surface (p = 0.470) Forefoot maximum pressure (p = 0.559), Forefoot medium pressure(p = 0.481), Forefoot surface (p = 0.234), and stabilometric variables either, X-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.086), Y-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.544), Surface eyes-open (p = 0.411), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-open (p = 0.613), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-open (p = 0.442), X Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.126), Y-Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.077), Surface eyes-closed (p = 0.502), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.956), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.349). All variables don´t have significant differences however the measurements had a high reliability with at least an ICC of 0.769. NM doesn´t change plantar pressures or improve balance in healthy non-athletes subjects. NCT05190900.

Effects of Myofascial Induction Therapy on Ankle Range of Motion and Pressure Pain Threshold in Trigger Points of the Gastrocnemius-A Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The myofascial induction technique (MIT) has been shown to increase shoulder range of motion (ROM) in breast cancer survivors and decrease pain pressure threshold over the radial nerve in patients with epicondylalgia. To the authors' best knowledge, no study on trigger points and MIT has been published to date. The effect on ROM of latent trigger points is also unknown.

METHODS

A total of 20 twins with one latent trigger point of the gastrocnemius muscle were evaluated pre- and post-MIT in the calf. We measured static footprint variables in a pre-post study.

RESULTS

We found differences in PPT (p = 0.001) and no differences in ROM with knee flexed (p = 0.420) or stretched (p = 0.069).

CONCLUSIONS

After Calf MIT, latent myofascial trigger points improve PPT but no change in ankle dorsiflexion with knee bent or knee flexed were found in non-restriction healthy subjects.

Impact of Asthma on Plantar Pressures in a Sample of Adult Patients: A Case-Control Study

Based on the high prevalence of asthma in the population, and its relationship with various musculoskeletal and postural disorders, the aim of this study was to evaluate the plantar pressures in asthmatic patients compared to a control group. A case-control study involving 90 participants was conducted, consisting of 45 asthma patients and 45 healthy paired controls. Static plantar pressure data were recorded using a portable pressure sensor platform. Statistically significant differences were shown in the body weight on the left heel (p = 0.031), and the right forefoot maximum peak pressure was lower in the case group (p = 0.042). The findings of this study show alterations in static plantar pressures in asthmatic patients compared to healthy individuals. Specifically, the subjects with asthma showed less maximum pressure in the right forefoot and less weight on the left heel, which appear to be associated with the asthma disease.

Pressure and Traction Technique Improves Postural Control More Than Tactile Stimulation in Foot Plantar Fascia: A Randomized Single-Blind Trial

OBJECTIVE

To check the acute effects of manual pressure and traction technique on balance and plantar footprint variables.

DESIGN

A single-blind clinical study with 2 groups.

SETTING

Private practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Healthy participants (N=40; 28 female and 12 male) were recruited to carry out a single-blind study.

INTERVENTIONS

Experimental group performed a bilateral plantar fascia manual pressure and traction technique. Control group performed a tactile stimulation. The position of the participant, the therapist, and the time of application of the techniques (5min) were the same for both interventions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured stabilometry variables and static footprint. The footprint variables were divided in rear, middle, and front foot areas.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in stabilometry variables. There was an improvement in experimental group at X displacement with eyes open (P=.014) and surface eyes closed (P=.046) variables.

CONCLUSIONS

After technique the experimental group improved the stabilometry variables, specifically surface with eyes closed and X displacement with eyes open. The static footprint variables have not shown differences after the technique compared with the control group.