Effect of protruding stickers enhancing plantar sensory feedback on control of the center of force trajectory during gait: A preliminary study

Background: Abnormal kinematics and kinetics in the lower extremity during gait may be improved by modulating the center of force trajectory of the foot. This study aimed to confirm whether short-interval training using plastic hemispherical protruding stickers (diameter: 5 mm; height: 2 mm) attached to the plantar surface of the foot to enhance plantar sensory feedback can help actively control the center of force trajectory during gait.

Methods: Twenty healthy female subjects underwent three-dimensional barefoot gait analysis under control conditions and two post-training conditions. Before the measurements under post-training conditions, the subjects underwent a 5-minute training to control the center of force trajectory with two protruding stickers attached to the plantar surface of the right foot. During training, the subjects were asked to put their weight on the stickers. The attachment positions of the stickers were the heel and either the first or fifth metatarsal head, which was randomly determined although both were tested.

Results: The center of pressure trajectory during the right stance phase of the gait shifted in the direction of the protruding stickers attached in the last training, although the stickers had already been removed.

Conclusions: The study results confirmed that a 5-minute training with protruding stickers attached to the plantar surface of the foot can help actively control the center of pressure trajectory during gait.