Effects of Light-touch Support with Stable and Unstable Objects on Postural Stability during Quiet Standing

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of light-touch support (under loads of 100 g) with stable and unstable objects on postural stability during standing. [Subjects and Methods] Eight healthy participants maintained tandem standing for 30 s under 3 light-touch conditions: no touch, light-touch with a stable object (table), light-touch with an unstable object (single cane), and 2 visual conditions: open and closed eyes. [Results] Postural sway decreased in the following order: stable object, unstable object, no touch condition. The variability of the load of light-touch support for the unstable object condition was smaller than that of the stable object condition, whereas the load of light-touch support did not differ between the two conditions. [Conclusion] Light-touch support with the stable object contributed to postural stability. The result of the variability of the load of light-touch indicates that light-touch support changes with slight load, which may be useful in postural control.