770 - Effect of electrostimulation of the intrinsic foot muscles on medial arch stability and postural balance in elderly

Friday, February 23, 2024

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

Presenting Author(s)

IH

Ikram Haddada, resident

MD
1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia

Co-Author(s)

sB

soumaya Belguith, MD

RESIDENT
1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia
SE

Soumaya El Arem, MD

MD
1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia
ID

Imen Dorgham, MD

MD
1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia
RM

Rihab Moncer, MD

MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Sahloul University Hospital
sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
IL

Ines Loubiri, MD

MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Sahloul University Hospital
sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
MS

Mouna Sghir, MD

MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
Mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia
wK

wassiaa Kessomtini, MD

MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Tahar Sfar University Hospital
mahdia, Al Mahdia, Tunisia

Objectives: Intrinsic foot muscle weakness is a major cause of balance impairment in older adults, resulting in limited range of motion due to fear of falling, which reduces quality of life.

This prospective study aimed to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation of the medial arch of the foot on navicular height, balance, and fear of falling.

Design: Twenty patients over the age of 65 were recruited for this study. Before and after 4 electrical stimulations of the medial arch of the foot at 85 Hz each for 20 minutes, navicular height of the dominant foot, balance on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test and single-foot posture and fear of falling through the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) were measured.

Results: After 4 sessions of electrical stimulation, the height of the navicular decreased significantly on average by 0.64 ± 0.24 cm (p = 0.004). FES scores and BBS scores improved significantly (p=0.003 and p=0.005, respectively). There were also significant improvements in the Timed Up and Go test (p=0.004) and the 30-second sit-to-stand test (p< 0.001). On the other hand, the single-foot support test showed no significant changes.

Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study can be used in the context of muscle strengthening of the intrinsic muscles of the foot via electrostimulation of the medial arch to decrease the risk of falling or the fear of falling in elderly people.