Effects of posture-improving, sensorimotor insoles against specific complaint patterns - a biomechanical investigation

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Daniela Ohlendorf
• Subject Area: Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery ; Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: from 2012 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 233010364

Background: Purposes of this research project are posture-improving, sensorimotor insoles. The special feature of these insoles are 1-3 mm thick elements, which are placed under the sole of the foot on the basis of their systematic combination and are changing along ascending muscle chains the entire muscle activity starting from the foot muscles. Complaints of the musculoskeletal system can be reduced in this way. Nevertheless, it is not investigated so far how people with particular complaints react biomechanical by wearing these posture-improving insoles. Therefore, the central question should be clarified, whether the posture-improving insoles cause specific biomechanical (kinetic, kinematic and elektromyographic) changes, which ultimately lead to muscular changes and consequently to a reduction of pain.Material and Methods: This study contains 80 subjects. Respectively 25 people are distributed to two insole-groups (group 1: jaw, neck and thoracic pain; Group 2: lumbar spine, hip, knee and foot problems). In contrast, 30 subjects are divided appropriately into two control groups with corresponding complaints. After a systematic diagnostic finding of the posture each subject of the two insole-groups gets a pair of individually made insoles. For assessing the movement behavior the three-dimensional analysis system from Motion Analysis Corp (Santa Rosa, CA, USA) is used, which can produce in combination with force plates (Kistler AG, Winterthur, Switzerland) statements about kinetic and kinematic parameters of the gait cycle. To evaluate these parameters a special software (Motion Analysis Corp., Santa Rosa, CA, USA) is attached. Additionally, electromyographical measurements (BioVision, Wehrheim, Germany) are used to record the muscle activity of the M. gastrocnemius medial, the M. biceps femoris, the M. vastus medialis and the M. trapezius pars descendens. The measurement of the subjects will take place on three measurement dates: (1) prior to the wearing of the insoles, (2) immediately after receipt of this and (3) after six weeks of wearing.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Dr. Benno Nigg