Dataset Information

Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This exploratory study aimed to investigate the extent to which mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue (hardness, stiffness, and thickness) and vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) predict plantar pressure loading during gait in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Mechanical properties, VPTs, and plantar loadings during gait at the heel and first metatarsal head (MTH) of 20 subjects with diabetes, 13 with DPN, and 33 healthy controls were acquired. Multiple regression analyses were used to predict plantar pressure peaks and pressure-time integrals at both locations based on the mechanical properties of the skin and superficial soft tissues and VPTs.

Results

In the diabetes group at the MTH, skin hardness associated with 30-Hz (R² = 0.343) and 200-Hz (R² = 0.314) VPTs predicted peak pressure at the forefoot. In the controls at the heel, peak pressure was predicted by the skin thickness, hardness, and stiffness associated with 30-Hz (R² = 0.269, 0.268, and 0.267, respectively) and 200-Hz (R² = 0.214, 0.247, and 0.265, respectively) VPTs.

Conclusion

The forefoot loading of people with diabetes can be predicted by the hardness of the skin when combined with loss of vibration perception at low (30-Hz) and high (200-Hz) frequencies. Further data from larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the current findings.

SUBMITTER: Monteiro RL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10483699 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes.

Monteiro Renan L RL Drechsel Tina J TJ Ferreira Jane Suelen S P JSSP Zippenfennig Claudio C Sacco Isabel C N ICN

BMC musculoskeletal disorders 20230906 1

<h4>Background</h4>This exploratory study aimed to investigate the extent to which mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue (hardness, stiffness, and thickness) and vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) predict plantar pressure loading during gait in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls.<h4>Methods</h4>Mechanical properties, VPTs, and plantar loadings during gait at the heel and first metatarsal head (MTH) of 20 subjects with diabetes, 13 with DPN, and ...[more]

PMID: 37674163

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Project description:BackgroundSkin is the largest organ of the human body and fulfills many important functions, like detecting mechanical stimuli. Skin can be divided into glabrous (non-hairy) and hairy skin. These two skin types differ with regard to their mechanical properties and in the distribution of mechanoreceptors. Although many investigations focus on glabrous skin, hairy skin still plays a fundamental role in various activities, e.g., with regard to the perception of pleasantness or for developing wearable vibrotactile devices for pattern recognition in persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, investigations on influencing factors, like vertical contactor force, are scarce for hairy skin. Similarly, it would also be interesting to investigate whether regional vibratory sensitivity differences are present across the human torso. Hence, this study investigated the effects of vertical contactor forces and different anatomical locations on vibration perception. Four anatomical torso regions were studied. Based on findings in glabrous skin, we generally hypothesized improved vibration perception with increasing contactor forces and regional sensitivity differences between the anatomical locations.MethodsForty young and healthy individuals participated (23.0 ± 2.0 yrs), and vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) were determined at 30 Hz for three vertical force levels (0.6, 2.4, and 4.8 N) at four torso locations (sternum, deltoid/shoulder, lower back, middle lateral torso side).ResultsHigher contactor forces resulted in lower VPTs corresponding to improved vibration perception, regardless of anatomical location. In addition, the sternum region was more sensitive than the remaining three regions, regardless of force level. The reasons for these findings may be a varying number and activation pattern of afferents activated under the different conditions. The findings of this study complement the understanding of vibrotactile sensitivity in hairy skin and may offer implications when developing vibrotactile devices or clothing/textiles, for example.

Project description:Introduction: Under plantar loading regimes, it is accepted that both pressure and shear strain biomechanically contribute to formation and deterioration of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Plantar foot strain characteristics in the at-risk diabetic foot are little researched due to lack of measurement devices. Plantar pressure comparatively, is widely quantified and used in the characterisation of diabetic foot ulceration risk, with a range of clinically implemented pressure measurement devices on the market. With the development of novel strain quantification methods in its infancy, feasibility testing and validation of these measurement devices for use is required. Initial studies centre on normal walking speed, reflecting common activities of daily living, but evaluating response to differing gait loading regimes is needed to support the use of such technologies for potential clinical translation. This study evaluates the effects of speed and inclination on stance time, strain location and strain response using a low-cost novel strain measurement insole. Methods: The STrain Analysis and Mapping of the Plantar Aspect (STAMPS) insole has been developed, and feasibility tested under self-selected normal walking speeds to characterise plantar foot strain, with testing beyond this limited regime required. A treadmill was implemented to standardise speed and inclination for a range of daily plantar loading conditions. A small cohort, comprising of five non-diabetic participants, were examined at slow (0.75 m/s), normal (1.25 m/s) and brisk (2 m/s) walking speeds and normal speed at inclination (10% gradient). Results: Plantar strain active regions were seen to increase with increasing speed across all participants. With inclination, it was seen that strain active regions reduce in the hindfoot and show a tendency to forefoot with discretionary changes to strain seen. Stance time decreases with increasing speed, as expected, with reduced stance time with inclination. Discussion: Comparison of the strain response and stance time should be considered when evaluating foot biomechanics in diabetic populations to assess strain time interval effects. This study supports the evaluation of the STAMPS insole to successfully track strain changes under differing plantar loading conditions and warrants further investigation of healthy and diabetic cohorts to assess the implications for use as a risk assessment tool for DFU.

Dataset Information

Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes.

Similar Datasets

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