Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2020, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (5): 736-740.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1928

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Plantar pressure and gait characteristics in older adult patients with diabetes

Bu Yueli1, Wang Fang1, 2, Zhang Jianguo1, 2, Li Xiaolin1, Cao Zijun1, Li Xuemei3   

  1. 1College of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300222, China; 2Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and Online Monitoring for Light Industry & Food Machinery and Equipment, Tianjin 300222, China; 3Metabolic Disease Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
  • Received:2019-04-08 Revised:2019-04-17 Accepted:2019-05-31 Online:2020-02-18 Published:2020-01-09
  • Contact: Wang Fang, Associate professor, College of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300222, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and Online Monitoring for Light Industry & Food Machinery and Equipment, Tianjin 300222, China
  • About author:Bu Yueli, Master, College of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300222, China

PDF

105

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Plantar pressure is one of the major risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of plantar pressure under natural gait in older adult patients with diabetes and compare them with those in healthy older adults, providing data for preventing foot diseases and designing foot decompression products.

METHODS: The study protocol was performed in accordance with the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University, China. Forty-one older adult patients with diabetes and 30 healthy older adults, both aged over 60 years, received plantar pressure detection using an insole-type root pressure measurement system. Peak plantar pressure, percentage of peak time, X offset, Y offset, 95% confidence ellipse area, step frequency, step velocity, stride length, standing phase, and swing phase were measured. After fully understanding the study protocol, each participant provided written informed consent. 

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy older adults, peak plantar pressure was significantly increased in the 2nd-4thmetatarsal region, the peak time was decreased in most area of the left foot and increased in the right root heel and arch area in older adult patients with diabetes (P < 0.05). Compared with healthy older adults, standing phase was decreased, swing phase was increased, step frequency was decreased, stride length in males was increased, step velocity was increased, stride length in females was decreased, and step velocity was decreased in older adult patients with diabetes. Compared with healthy older adults, 95% confidence ellipse area was decreased, and X offset and Y offset were increased in older adult patients with diabetes. These results suggest that the stability and flexibility of older adult patients with diabetes are lower than those of healthy older adults. In older adult patients with diabetes, plantar pressure is obviously transferred from the heel to the humerus. Therefore, much attention should be paid to plantar pressure in foot care.

Key words: older adult patients with diabetes, plantar pressure, gait, peak pressure, foot decompression

CLC Number: