Work

Somatosensory augmentation has sustained effects on mediolateral foot placement modulation while walking in people with chronic stroke

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background. Many people with chronic stroke (PwCS) exhibit reduced mediolateral foot placement modulation while walking, a deficit linked with poorer walking balance. Applying hip abductor vibration to augment the available somatosensory feedback can elicit immediate increases in foot placement modulation. Aim. The purpose of this study was to test whether such somatosensory augmentation can also cause sustained increases in foot placement modulation among PwCS after the vibration ceases, a beneficial characteristic for rehabilitation applications. Methods. 44 PwCS performed a series of treadmill walking trials, with some trials including hip vibration designed either to augment sensory feedback (Augmentation group; n=22), or to follow a random distribution (Noise group; n=22). We quantified foot placement modulation using ρFP, the partial correlation between foot placement and mediolateral pelvis displacement, accounting for pelvis velocity. ρFP was compared between a baseline walking period without vibration, periods when vibration was applied, and interspersed minute-long catch periods in which the vibration ceased. Results. In the Augmentation group, foot placement modulation increased significantly both while the vibration was applied (p<0.0001) and during the subsequent catch periods (p=0.007), providing evidence for sustained effects of somatosensory augmentation. In contrast, no changes in foot placement were observed in the Noise group, either while the vibration was applied (p=0.21) or during the catch periods (p=0.36). Conclusion. These results provide initial evidence that somatosensory augmentation via hip vibration has effects on foot placement modulation that persist after the augmentation ceases, possibly due to sensory reweighting.

Source: Gait & Posture

DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110005

Authors: Keith E. Howard, Ethan B. Schonhaut, Heather L. Knight, Camden J. Jacobs, Jesse C. Dean

Institutions: Medical University of South Carolina, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

Subfield: Rehabilitation

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,510