718 - The Relevance of Plantar Receptor Stimulation in Enhancing Balance and Preventing Falls in the Elderly

Objectives: Falls in the elderly are a significant burden due to their severe consequences. With advancing age, various perceptual and adaptive deficits linked to aging contribute to balance disturbances and gait pattern alterations. There is, however, a decline in the function of plantar receptors, which plays a role in postural instability in the elderly.

The study aimed to demonstrate the benefits of stimulating plantar proprioceptive tactile receptors in improving balance and preventing falls in the elderly.

Design:

This is a prospective study conducted over a three-month period at “El Rahma” Association in Moknine and a private physiotherapy clinic in Sousse, involving patients aged 65 years and older who had experienced at least one fall. We assessed plantar sensitivity using a monofilament test. A functional assessment, including the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, and the Berg Balance Scale, was performed before and after rehabilitation. All patients also underwent psychological and quality of life evaluations using the HAD and SF-36 scores.

Results:

Fourteen patients were included, with a female predominance. The average age was 74.4 years, ranging from 67 to 90 years. An improvement in plantar sensitivity was observed following various neurosensory stimulation techniques. Additionally, there was an improvement in both functional and psychological scales.

Conclusions:

An effective fall prevention rehabilitation protocol for the elderly should incorporate sensory and neuromotor stimulation exercises targeting the lower limbs. These exercises must be customized and tailored to the individual physical abilities of each patient to maximize their effectiveness.