A new ambulatory foot pressure device for patients with sensory impairment. A system for continuous measurement of plantar pressure and a feed-back alarm

Background: Foot pain and paresthesia are common in cycling, due to plantar pressure and repetitive loading. Objectives: The aim was to investigate the effect of foot insoles on plantar pressure of the foot in motorcycling, as well as self-reported comfort. Study design: A randomized crossover clinical trial. Methods: A flexible foot pressure mat (GP MobilData WiFi® Gebiomized®) with different sizes was utilized. Results: Maximum pressure values occurred predominantly in the hallux with 4.90 ± 1.19 N/cm2, followed by second and third metatarsal areas with 4.57 ± 0.73 N/cm2, followed by the first metatarsal area with 4.30 ± 0.96 N/cm2, and followed by the fourth and fifth metatarsal areas with 3.22 ± 0.89 N/cm2 when using the control foot insole and using aluminum foot insole, which reduces maximum pressure to 1.55 ± 0.34, 1.56 ± 0.75, 1.09 ± 0.43, and 1.07 ± 0.59 N/cm2, respectively ( p < 0.001), with an effect size of 3.828, 4.067, 4.315, and 2.847, respectively. Conclusion: The use of an aluminum foot insole significantly reduced maximum pressure during motorcycling. Clinical relevance In this study, an aluminum insole in a motorcycling boot was shown to decrease maximum pressure on the foot. Comfort was significantly higher than that from ethylene vinyl acetate or commercial boot inserts. This increased comfort and decreased pressure should result in increased safety and control for motorcyclists.

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Human Achilles tendon glycation and function in diabetes

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00547.2015 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 120 (2) ◽

pp. 130-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Christian Couppé ◽

Rene Brüggebusch Svensson ◽

Mads Kongsgaard ◽

Vuokko Kovanen ◽

Jean-Francois Grosset ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Cross Linking ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Tendon Stiffness ◽

Material Stiffness ◽

Skin Collagen ◽

Collagen Cross Linking

Diabetic patients have an increased risk of foot ulcers, and glycation of collagen may increase tissue stiffness. We hypothesized that the level of glycemic control (glycation) may affect Achilles tendon stiffness, which can influence gait pattern. We therefore investigated the relationship between collagen glycation, Achilles tendon stiffness parameters, and plantar pressure in poorly ( n = 22) and well ( n = 22) controlled diabetic patients, including healthy age-matched (45–70 yr) controls ( n = 11). There were no differences in any of the outcome parameters (collagen cross-linking or tendon stiffness) between patients with well-controlled and poorly controlled diabetes. The overall effect of diabetes was explored by collapsing the diabetes groups (DB) compared with the controls. Skin collagen cross-linking lysylpyridinoline, hydroxylysylpyridinoline (136%, 80%, P < 0.01) and pentosidine concentrations (55%, P < 0.05) were markedly greater in DB. Furthermore, Achilles tendon material stiffness was higher in DB (54%, P < 0.01). Notably, DB also demonstrated higher forefoot/rearfoot peak-plantar-pressure ratio (33%, P < 0.01). Overall, Achilles tendon material stiffness and skin connective tissue cross-linking were greater in diabetic patients compared with controls. The higher foot pressure indicates that material stiffness of tendon and other tissue (e.g., skin and joint capsule) may influence foot gait. The difference in foot pressure distribution may contribute to the development of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

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Static and Dynamic Plantar Pressure and Normalized Plantar Pressure Characteristics among Children, Adults, and the Elderly

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand ◽

10.35755/jmedassocthai.2021.12.12329 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 (12) ◽

pp. 1881-1887

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

The Elderly ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Gait Performance ◽

Plantar Pressures ◽

Balance Ability ◽

Pressure Characteristics

Background: A better understanding of plantar pressure while standing and walking would help in improving balance and gait performance across different age ranges. Objective: To clarify the differences of plantar pressure while standing and walking among children, adults, and the elderly. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three participants including eleven aged 3 to 8 years, thirty aged 20 to 40 years, and twelve aged 60 to 90 years were included in the present study. Plantar pressure and related parameters while quiet standing and walking with self-selected speed were assessed. Results: In static plantar pressure, no significant differences were observed of mean different pressure and mean different contact area between dominant and non-dominant limbs among the three groups, while center of pressure (COP) displacement was shown as significantly greater between children and adults (p<0.05). For dynamic plantar pressure, no significant differences in COP velocity were found among the three groups. The elderly showed significant lower normalized maximum plantar pressure in areas of the second and third metatarsal, and internal heel compared with the young adults (p<0.05). Additionally, normalized maximum plantar pressures among children seemed to differ from adults. Conclusion: Plantar pressure characteristics could indicate that children develop gait ability in braking and propulsion phases with greater heel and toe function, while the ability of braking and propulsion declined with aging. These could reflect balance ability while standing or walking. Keywords: Foot pressure; Children; Elderly; Normalization

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Plantar Pressure and Development of Foot Pressure

Diabetic Foot: Surgical Principles and Practices ◽

10.5005/jp/books/10203_18 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 85-85

Author(s):

G Sivakumar

Keyword(s):

Plantar Pressure ◽

Foot Pressure

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Finite Element Analysis of Cushioned Diabetic Footwear Using Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Polymer

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13142261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 2261

Author(s):

Mariyam J. Ghazali ◽

Xu Ren ◽

Armin Rajabi ◽

Wan Fathul Hakim W. Zamri ◽

Nadia Mohd Mustafah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Finite Element ◽

Vinyl Acetate ◽

Diabetic Foot ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Foot Model

With the development of societies, diabetic foot ulcers have become one of the most common diseases requiring lower extremity amputation. The early treatment and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers can considerably reduce the possibility of amputation. Using footwear to redistribute and relieve plantar pressure is one of the important measures for the treatment and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. Thus, the evaluation and prediction of the distribution of plantar pressure play an important role in designing footwears. Herein, the finite element method was used to study plantar pressure under two kinds of foot models, namely, the skeletal structure foot model and the whole foot model, to explore the influence of human bones on the pressure of the soles of the feet and obtain accurate foot pressure. Simulation results showed that under the two models, the plantar pressure and the pressure from the footwear with ethylene vinyl acetate were all reduced. The total deformation demonstrated a slight increase. These stresses are very useful as they enable the design of suitable orthotic footwear that reduces the amount of stress in individuals with diabetic foot ulcers.

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Study on Plantar Pressure of Male Adults during Walking with Single-Shoulder Weight

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.694-697.3063 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 694-697 ◽

pp. 3063-3066 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guo Qiang Li ◽

Hao Chen ◽

Jiang Guo Zhang

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Human Movement ◽

Biped Robot ◽

Three Dimension ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Platform System ◽

Male Subjects

The purpose of this study was to investigate plantar pressure of male adults under different sing-shoulder weight during walking. Experiments were conducted at single-shoulder load styles in four different weight conditions by three-dimension force platform system. Four weight conditions were 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of body weight. Seven characteristic parameters were selected and analyzed by statistical methods. The results showed a significant difference for the male subjects at 13% of body weight loads comparing with natural walk. Ground reaction force was employed to analyze human movement. This study was designed to obtain the data of foot pressure, which was important to the balance of control of biped robot.

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Impact of body weight on shifting of foot pressure among adult subjects

Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics ◽

10.37190/abb-01595-2020-02 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Enas F. Youssef ◽

Alsayed A. Shanb ◽

Mariam A. Ameer ◽

Mahmoud E. Shanab

Keyword(s):

Contact Area ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Peak Pressure ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Foot Length ◽

Group I ◽

Walking Activity ◽

Length Width ◽

Obese Subjects

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of foot plantar pressure between normal and obese adult subjects during walking. Methods: Sixty male and female adult volunteers (aged 20–40) were recruited into the study. They were equally divided into 30 normal subjects (BMI = 18.5–22.9 kg/cm2) into group I and 30 obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/cm2) into group II, according to their BMI. Results: There were statistically significant differences between normal and obese subjects in foot length, width, and pressure distribution in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and toes. There was a statistically significant increase in the plantar pressure of all measured areas in obese persons in comparison with the normal subjects. In addition, all measures of foot pressure showed statistically significant differences between the same sex of both groups, while the obese subjects of both genders have higher foot pressure in all measured areas. High positive correlations were detected between BMI, peak pressure, foot contact, and foot width in both groups, but there was a weak positive correlation between normal BMI and foot contact area. Conclusion: The distribution of plantar foot pressure is different in adult obese subjects than in normal adult subjects during walking activity. The obese persons have larger foot length, width, higher peak pressure, and contact area. This study can help physical therapists to understand the differences of foot pressure between normal and obese subjects, and consequently, to detect any expected foot abnormalities accompanied by obesity.

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Using Homemade Pressure Device to Improve Plantar Pressure—A Case Study on the Patient with Lower Limb Lymphedema

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11209629 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (20) ◽

pp. 9629

Author(s):

Jong-Chen Chen ◽

Yao-Te Wang ◽

Ying-Sheng Lin

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Pressure Distribution ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Normal Pressure ◽

University Hospital ◽

Lower Extremity Edema ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Entire Study ◽

Before And After ◽

Sole Of The Foot

Feet play a very important and indispensable role in people’s lives. Patients with lymphedema often suffer from collapsed (or even deformed) foot arches as a result of lower extremity edema. This result will change the normal pressure distribution on the soles of their feet, which will affect their mobility and physical health. When the patient does not know that the distribution of pressure on the sole of the foot has changed significantly, the deformation of the sole of the foot will become severe. In response to this problem, this research team hopes to use a set of self-made sensor insoles to help to understand the plantar pressure points in different situations or actions. The subject invited in this study was a patient with lower extremity edema. The entire study was carried out with the consent of the patient, the guidance of the physician and the approval of the Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University Hospital (No: 201805068 RINB, date: 18 June 2018). This study uses this self-made sensor insole to analyze the plantar pressure distribution of the patient before and after the operation of lower extremity edema. The results show that the operation can effectively improve the high foot pressure in the center and rear of the foot area during different sports (standing, walking and biking). This not only increases its stability when standing and walking, but also significantly and effectively improves its walking speed and step distance.

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A Comparison of Foot Insole Materials in Plantar Pressure Relief and Center of Pressure Pattern

Journal of Clinical and Medical Research ◽

10.37191/mapsci-2582-4333-2(6)-050 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ajay Kumar Mishra

Keyword(s):

Plantar Pressure ◽

Male Subject ◽

High Pressures ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Entire Population ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Pressure Pattern ◽

Silicone Gel ◽

The Mean

Aim: Insoles have been widely accepted as a front-line defense to cushion the foot, decrease foot Pressure, and reduce tissue destruction associated with repetitive high pressures in the insensate foot. In recent years, plantar pressure has widely been accepted as a vital biomechanical parameter to evaluate human walking. The distribution and magnitude of plantar pressure can provide useful information to diagnose various foot disorders. Plantar pressure measurements during standing, walking or other activities can demonstrate the Pathomechanics of the abnormal foot and yield objective measures to track disease progression1. Areas of increased plantar pressure have been clearly linked to foot pain and discomfort. Increased pressure is also responsible for skin breakdown in the denervated foot such as in Hansen's disease and diabetic neuropathy. Planter pressure was studied with the use of both insoles Silicone gel and MCR (Micro cellular Rubber). Design: A repeated measure design was followed. Purpose: The aim of the study was to check the efficiency of both these commonly prescribed insoles (MCR and silicone gel insole) in terms of plantar pressure redistribution and center of pressure pattern with MCR insole and silicone gel insole. The data was managed on an excel spreadsheet and was analyzed using the SPSS software PASW (version 17.0). Descriptive statistics (Mean and standard deviation) were computed for each study variable. The outcome variables used for analysis were static planter pressure, dynamic planter pressure and center of pressure. The planter pressure measured for eight areas of the foot, i.e the hallux, 2-5 toe, 1st meta-tarsal, 2-4 meta-tarsal, 5th meta-tarsal, mid-foot, medial heel pressure and lateral heel pressure. A total of 30 subjects were recruited for the study. Out of 30 subjects, two were female and 28 were female. A kruskal-wallis test was used to compare the difference in planter pressure (static and dynamic) and center of pressure. The mean age of male subject was 65.53±5.02 years and female was 61.00±1.41 years and for entire population, the mean age was 65.23 ± 4.99 years. The mean of BMI for male subject was 23.95±2.34 and for female were 22.43±1.50 and for entire population was 22.40 ± 1.52. On the basis of preceding data, we conclude that both the insole MCR and silicone gel insole are effective in reducing planter pressure and realigning the center of pressure pattern. In some major pressure sensitive area of foot (Halux, 1st Metatarsal head etc.) silicone gel insole reducing more pressure than MCR insole. But MCR is a good alternative insole material in reducing the plantar pressure and maintaining the COP pattern.

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