Postural control is a complex skill based on the interaction of dynamic sensorimotor processes, and can be challenging for people with deficits in sensory functions. The foot plantar center of pressure (COP) has often been used for quantitative assessment of postural control. Previously, the foot plantar COP was mainly measured by force plates or complicated and expensive insole-based measureme...

BACKGROUND There is lack of well-designed trials evaluating structural benefits of non-pharmacologic therapies in knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, we aim to compare the possible advantages of lateral wedge insole and acupuncture in patients with medial knee OA. METHOD Patients with grade two or three of medial knee OA were randomly allocated to gro...

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of custom-made insoles on plantar pressures and load redistribution in neuropathic diabetic patients with foot deformity. DESIGN Cross-sectional. BACKGROUND Although custom-made insoles are commonly prescribed to diabetic patients, little quantitative data on their mechanical action exists. METHODS Regional in-shoe peak pressures and force-time integrals wer...

BACKGROUND Over the past two decades finite element (FE) analysis has become a popular tool for researchers seeking to simulate the biomechanics of the healthy and diabetic foot. The primary aims of these simulations have been to improve our understanding of the foot's complicated mechanical loading in health and disease and to inform interventions designed to prevent plantar ulceration, a majo...

BACKGROUND Our daily activities imply displacements on various types of soil. For persons with gait disorder or losing functional autonomy, walking on some types of soil could be challenging because of the risk of falling it represents. METHODS In this paper, we present, in a first part, the use of an enactive shoe for an automatic differentiation of several types of soil. In a second part, u...