Efeitos da perturbação da sensibilidade plantar sobre o controle da postura ereta em adultos e idosos

Abstract

People with sensory losses have balance deficits. Although this is commonly observed in elderly people with some disease, it is still debated how much elderly people without diseases that affect the sensory pathways depend on this information to control body oscillations during postural control. We investigated the effects of plantar sensitivity disturbance on the control of standing posture in independent adults and elderly (n=19/group). Plantar sensitivity was assessed with an esthesiometer and data on velocity and center of pressure displacements during the standing posture were assessed using a baropodometer under open and closed eyes. The adult group was evaluated for center of pressure under normal and post-plantar sensitivity conditions. Plantar sensitivity was disturbed by immersing the feet in water and ice for 15 min. Adults did not show changes in the center of pressure in response to sensory disturbance, and even with disturbance in plantar sensitivity, they had better postural control than older adults. Elderly individuals presented values that indicate less sensitivity and greater oscillation of the center of pressure. Thus, it is suggested that elderly people depend more on plantar sensitivity to maintain postural control than adults and that physical therapy interventions that improve plantar sensitivity can help in the task of maintaining the standing posture.