Influence of the Light Touch Contact Method on Standing Postural Sway and Its Feasibility for Patients with Spinal Cord Disease

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of the light touch (LT) contact method on postural sway and its related factors. [Participants and Methods] Thirty patients with spinal cord disease participated in this study. Postural sway was measured under three LT contact method conditions (Normal light touch, Horizontal light touch (HLT), and Vertical light touch). In the LT-capable group, we examined the association between postural sway and sensory disturbance of each condition. Physical function and feasibility were compared between the LT-capable and LT-unable groups. [Results] In the LT-capable group, the rectangular area of postural sway under the LT condition of the horizontal plane at 90° of elbow flexion (HLT) was the smallest of the three conditions, and was associated with fingertip tactile pressure sensation. In the LT-unable group, fingertip tactile pressure was significantly lower and anterior–posterior postural sway was significantly larger than in the LT-capable group. In the LT-unable group, more participants showed the feasibility of the HLT condition than the other two conditions. [Conclusion] HLT was the most feasible condition, and postural sway was lower under the HLT condition than the other conditions. Fingertip tactile pressure sensation and anterior–posterior sway are involved in the availability of LT.