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HealthyEffplantNCT02508766

Effect of Stimulating Plant on the Balance in Young Healthy

A study testing Plantar stimulation in people with Healthy, run by University of Valencia.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effect of manual stimulation on the foot plant in static and dynamic balance in young healthy subjects. In addition, the secondary objectives of this study were: 1) to identify whether manual stimulation of the foot plant in healthy young subjects, carried… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Healthy
What is being tested?
Plantar stimulation
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
184 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Jul 2015to Jul 2015
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients were included if they were healthy university students and were able and willing to complete the protocol

Who cannot join

  • Had a known musculoskeletal lower extremity injury (eg, postoperative conditions, musculotendinous or ligamentous problems).
  • Previous history of neurological problems.
  • Balance disorders (eg, vestibular or visual problems).
  • Did some type of physical activity programme where balance exercises were performed.

About this study

Official title: EFFECT OF MANUAL PLANTAR STIMULATION ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC POSTURAL CONTROL IN YOUNG HEALTHY SUBJECTS

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effect of manual stimulation on the foot plant in static and dynamic balance in young healthy subjects. In addition, the secondary objectives of this study were: 1) to identify whether manual stimulation of the foot plant in healthy young subjects, carried out with an easily reproducible protocol with 10 minutes duration, improves static balance, measured with Unipedal Stance Test; 2) to assess whether, manual stimulation of the foot plant in healthy young subjects, carried out with an easily reproducible protocol with 10 minutes duration, improves dynamic balance test, measured with Star Excursion Balance Test.

Read the detailed description

Methods Participants Participants from the University of Valencia (Spain) were asked to volunteer to participate in this study. Patients were included if they were university students and were able and willing to complete the protocol. Participants were excluded if they were ≥40 years-old or had a known musculoskeletal lower extremity injury (eg, postoperative conditions, musculotendinous or ligamentous problems), previous history of neurological problems, balance disorders (eg, vestibular or visual problems) or did some type of physical activity programme where balance exercises were performed.

Study design We conducted a randomized single-blind controlled study investigation. A non-stratified randomization list was generated and held centrally in sealed envelopes. Therefore, participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group, who received a plantar stimulation on the right foot, or to a control group, which did not receive any intervention.

Intervention Plantar stimulation In addition, a plantar stimulation directed at the plantar surface of the dominant foot was performed by an experienced physiotherapist, as described below. Participants performed one practice trial of plantar stimulation prior to performance. The manipulation was performed with the subject in the supine position. The intervention lasted ten minutes and consisted of four stages: 5 glide pressures focused on each interdigital space and on the internal longitudinal arch of the foot in a caudal direction, that lasted 10 seconds in duration, (2) 5 compression-decompression of each metatarsophalangeal joint, until a slight tension was perceived by the researcher at the joint, (3) 5 glide pressures applied for 5 seconds each, on the region of metatarsal heads, and (4) 5 static pressures applied for 10 seconds each, focused on four points of the sole: the head of the first and the fifth metatarsal head, the heel and the medial side of the midfoot (Figure 3). Duration of pressures was assessed by using an on-line metronome. Furthermore, all pressures, both static and glide, were measured by a strength dynamometer and the mean force of pressure was 48N. After the stimulation, given to the negative effects of the sudden standing-up on several study results, participants stood quietly for 20 seconds before balance tests.

Conditions
Healthy
Being tested
Plantar stimulation
Keywords
Postural Control, Plantar Stimulation, Volunteers

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Plantar stimulationProcedure or surgery

    The manipulation was performed with the subject in the supine position. The intervention lasted ten minutes and consisted of four stages: 5 glide pressures focused on each interdigital space, that lasted 10 seconds in duration, 5 compression-decompression of each metatarsophalangeal joint, 5 glide pressures applied for 5 seconds each, on the region of metatarsal heads, 5 static pressures applied for 10 seconds each, focused on four points of the sole.

Study groups in NCT02508766
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Plantar stimulationExperimentalThe manipulation was performed with the subject in the supine position. The intervention lasted ten minutes and consisted of four stages: 5 glide pressures focused on each interdigital space, that lasted 10 seconds in duration, 5 compression-decompression of each metatarsophalangeal joint, 5 glide pressures applied for 5 seconds each, on the region of metatarsal heads, 5 static pressures applied for 10 seconds each, focused on four points of the sole.
Receives: Procedure: Plantar stimulation
Control groupNo interventionVolunteers received no intervention. They just sat there for 20 minutes before being evaluated.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Anthropometric measurements (the measure is a composite)

    • Height (cm)
    • Mass (kg). Body mass index was calculated from height and mass data (kg/m2).
    • Bilateral leg length measures (cm). On a plinth with participant in supine, leg length was assessed using a standard tape measure. The distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the most distal portion of the medial malleolus of the same leg was measured. Both legs were evaluated.

    Measured: 1 day

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Static postural control testing: Unipedal Stance Test

    Static balance was assessed using the UPST. Firstly, participants were asked to focus on a spot on the wall at eye level in front of them. Then, they had to cross their arms over the chest and close their eyes. Afterwards, subjects had to undergo the test barefoot standing on one leg on a stable surface, while maintaining balance for as long as possible up to a 45 second period. A stopwatch was used to determine the elapsed time the student was able to maintain unipedal stance up to a maximum of 45 seconds. The trial was disregarded and repeated when participants (1) touched the floor or moved the free foot from the standing limb, (2) uncrossed their arms, (3) moved the standing foot to maintain his balance or (4) opened eyes. Finally, subjects then completed 3 test trials, sitting in a chair to rest for 5 minutes. The average score of the amount of time of three trials was recorded.

    Measured: 1 day

  2. Dynamic postural control testing: Star Excursion Balance Test.

    Consists of 8 directions, whilst several studies have confirmed the utility of a reduced version of the test using the anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL) reaching directions. Participants were required to reach with the free limb for maximal distance in each of three directions and then lightly touch one line, while maintaining his/her balance and without using the free limb for support. Then, 3 trials in each direction for each limb were performed. Visual cues (objects on the floor, people not participating in the study, etc.) were avoided, in order to reduce visual and auditory influences. The trial was repeated when (1) the reach limb touched heavily at the floor, in order to maintain balance or to get any support, (2) moved the stance foot from the grid, (3) failed to return the reach foot to the starting position, or (4) subject's hands did not remain on his/her hips.

    Measured: 1 day

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Jul 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startJul 2015
  3. Primary completionJul 2015
  4. Study completionJul 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
184 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02508766
Sponsor's protocol ID
ID010
Acronym
Effplant
Status last verified
Aug 2016
First submitted
23 Jul 2015
Last updated
2 Aug 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Hatton AL, Dixon J, Rome K, Newton JL, Martin DJ. Altering gait by way of stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot: the immediate effect of wearing textured insoles in older fallers. J Foot Ankle Res. 2012 Apr 30;5:11. doi: 10.1186/1757-1146-5-11.

    PubMed 22546376
  • Hurvitz EA, Richardson JK, Werner RA, Ruhl AM, Dixon MR. Unipedal stance testing as an indicator of fall risk among older outpatients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2000 May;81(5):587-91. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(00)90039-x.

    PubMed 10807096
  • Muir J, Judex S, Qin YX, Rubin C. Postural instability caused by extended bed rest is alleviated by brief daily exposure to low magnitude mechanical signals. Gait Posture. 2011 Mar;33(3):429-35. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.12.019. Epub 2011 Jan 26.

    PubMed 21273076

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Plantar stimulation in people with Healthy, run by University of Valencia.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Aug 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Anthropometric measurements (the measure is a composite) (time frame: 1 day). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02508766, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Aug 2016; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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