The relationship between in-shoe pressure measurements and Short FES-I score among non-community dwelling older adults: a pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed at  analyzing the relationship between fear of falling indicators and pedobarographic variables among non-community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Twenty-seven non-community dwelling older adults participated were recruited and classified into three groups according their fear of fall level which was estimated with the Short FES I score.  In-shoe foot pressure data were collected while walking along a 10 meter walkway at  self-selected speed. Dependent variables encompassed the the relative peak and mean force in different foot regions, functional gait tasks features  and centre of pressure displacement variables  A Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to analyze the differences between the three groups.

Results: It was observed  that the anterior-posterior displacement of the centre of pressure and its mean variability were significantly different between groups during the weight acceptance and the single limb advancement phases. The different regions of interest from the pressure data showed significant differences in the relative mean (p=0.006) and peak force (p=0.004) of the hind foot during single limb advancement, the relative peak force during weight acceptance tended to be different for the hallux (p=0.042), the first metatarsal head (p=0.026) and the hind foot (p=0.038).

Conclusions: In-shoe pressure measurement while walking could be considered as clinically important when assessing the risk and the fear of falling among elderly.