Cutaneous Sensitivity Across Regions of the Foot Sole and Dorsum are Influenced by Foot Posture

Simone G.V.S. Smith; Maiya K. Yokich; Shawn M. Beaudette; Shawn M. Beaudette; Stephen H. M. Brown; Leah R. Bent

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.744307

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (Jan 2022)

Cutaneous Sensitivity Across Regions of the Foot Sole and Dorsum are Influenced by Foot Posture

Simone G.V.S. Smith,
Maiya K. Yokich,
Shawn M. Beaudette,
Shawn M. Beaudette,
Stephen H. M. Brown,
Leah R. Bent

Affiliations

Simone G.V.S. Smith: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Maiya K. Yokich: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Shawn M. Beaudette: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Shawn M. Beaudette: Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Stephen H. M. Brown: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
Leah R. Bent: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.744307
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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Understanding the processing of tactile information is crucial for the development of biofeedback interventions that target cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Mechanics of the skin have been shown to influence cutaneous tactile sensitivity. It has been established that foot skin mechanics are altered due to foot posture, but whether these changes affect cutaneous sensitivity are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of posture-mediated skin deformation about the ankle joint on perceptual measures of foot skin sensitivity. Participants (N = 20) underwent perceptual skin sensitivity testing on either the foot sole (N = 10) or dorsum (N = 10) with the foot positioned in maximal dorsiflexion/toe extension, maximal plantarflexion/toe flexion, and a neutral foot posture. Perceptual tests included touch sensitivity, stretch sensitivity, and spatial acuity. Regional differences in touch sensitivity were found across the foot sole (p < 0.001) and dorsum (p < 0.001). Touch sensitivity also significantly increased in postures where the skin was compressed (p = 0.001). Regional differences in spatial acuity were found on the foot sole (p = 0.002) but not dorsum (p = 0.666). Spatial acuity was not significantly altered by posture across the foot sole and dorsum, other than an increase in sensitivity at the medial arch in the dorsiflexion posture (p = 0.006). Posture*site interactions were found for stretch sensitivity on the foot sole and dorsum in both the transverse and longitudinal directions (p < 0.005). Stretch sensitivity increased in postures where the skin was pre-stretched on both the foot sole and dorsum. Changes in sensitivity across locations and postures were believed to occur due to concurrent changes in skin mechanics, such as skin hardness and thickness, which follows our previous findings. Future cutaneous biofeedback interventions should be applied with an awareness of these changes in skin sensitivity, to maximize their effectiveness for foot sole and dorsum input.

Published in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

ISSN: 2296-4185 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Biotechnology
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/bioengineering_and_biotechnology

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