Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new device combining mechanical stimulation of plantar sole and Achilles’ tendon to alleviate the consequences of muscle deconditioning

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Limb immobilization or confinement to bed results in a severe atrophy and weakness of lower leg muscles. Full recovery of muscle strength and physical function is rare and may impact the patient’s outcome. Studies performed on rodents have demonstrated that the deleterious structural and functional adaptations which occur during muscle deconditioning can be counteracted through adequate physiological stimuli. Thus, based on this fundamental work, we developed a device that combines mechanical stimulation of proprioceptors located in the plantar sole and Achilles’ tendon. The device is adapted to patients immobilized and confined to bed. Stimulations can be applied on muscle in passive state. The protocol is non-invasive and is well accepted by patients. This paper presents the technical features of the device, as well as preliminary results of the first clinical study. This device might allow considering new therapeutic strategies for prevention of atrophy in many pathologies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abercromby F, Amonette WE, Layne CS, McFarlin BK, Hinman MR, Paloski WH (2007) Vibration exposure and biodynamic responses during whole-body vibration training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:1794–1800

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. American Thoracic Society (2002) ATS statement: guidelines for the six-minute walk test. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Burke D, Hagbarth KE, Lofstedt L, Wallin BG (1976) The responses of human muscle spindle endings to vibration during isometric contraction. J Physiol (Lond) 261:695–711

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Burnfield JM, Courtney DF, Mohamed OS, Perry J (2004) The influence of walking speed and footwear on plantar pressures in older adults. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 19:78–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Chiu MC, Wu HC, Chang LY (2013) Gait speed and gender effects on center of pressure progression during normal walking. Gait Posture 37:43–48

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Davies AT, Rutherford IC, Thomas DO (1987) Electrically evoked contractions of the triceps surae during and following 21 days of voluntary leg immobilization. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 56:306–312

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. De-Doncker L, Picquet F, Falempin M (2000) Effect of cutaneous receptor stimulation on muscular atrophy developed in hindlimb unloading by tail suspension. J Appl Physiol 89:2344–2351

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dehail P, Duclos C, Barat M (2008) Electrical stimulation and muscle strengthening. Ann Readapt Med Phys 51:441–451. doi:10.1016/j.annrmp.2008.05.001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Duchateau J (1995) Bed rest induces neural and contractile adaptations in triceps surae. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:1581–1589

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Falempin M, Fodili-In Albon S (1999) Influence of brief daily tender vibration on rat soleus muscle in non-weight-bearing situation. J Appl Physiol 87:3–9

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Garcia N, Sabater-Navarro JM, Gugliemeli E, Casals A (2011) Trends in rehabilitation robotics. Med Biol Eng Comput 49:1089–1091

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Giaquinto S, Ciotola E, Margutti F (2007) Gait in the early days after total knee and hip arthroplasty: a comparison. Disabil Rehabil 29:731–736

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hessert MJ, Vyas M, Leach J, Hu K, Lipsitz LA, Nowak V (2005) Foot pressure distribution during walking in young and old adults. BMC Geriatr 5:8

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Hillstrom HJ, Song J, Kraszewski AP, Hafer JF, Mootanah R, Dufour AB, Chow BS, Deland JT 3rd (2013) Foot type biomechanics part 1: structure and function of the asymptomatic foot. Gait Posture 37:445–451

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Kavounoudias A, Roll R, Roll JP (2001) Foot sole and ankle muscle inputs contribute jointly to human erect posture regulation. J Physiol (Lond) 532:869–878

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Kyparos JB, Macefield VG (2007) Vibration sensitivity of human muscle spindles and golgi tendon organs. Muscle Nerve 36:21–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kyparos A, Feeback DL, Layne CS, Martinez DA, Clarke MS (2005) Mechanical stimulation of the plantar foot surface attenuates soleus muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb unloading in rats. J Appl Physiol 99:739–746

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lord SR, Clark RD, Webster IW (1991) Postural stability and associated physiological factors in a population of aged persons. J Gerontol 46:M69–M76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Maurer A, Mergner T, Bolha B, Hlavacka F (2001) Human balance control during cutaneous stimulation of the plantar soles. Neurosci Lett 302:45–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mounier Y, Tiffreau V, Montel V, Bastide B, Stevens L (2009) Phenotypical transitions and Ca2+ activation properties in human muscle fibers: effects of a 60-day bed rest and countermeasures. J Appl Physiol 106:1086–1099. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.90695.2008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nankaku M, Tsuboyama T, Kakinoki R, Kawanabe K, Kanzaki H, Mito Y (2007) Gait analysis of patients in early stages after total hip arthroplasty: effect of lateral trunk displacement on walking efficiency. J Orthop Sci 12:550–554

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Picquet F, De-Doncker L, Falempin M (2003) Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in rat soleus muscle spindles after 19 days in hypergravity. J Histochem Cytochem 51:1479–1489

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Rasch A, Dalén N, Berg HE (2010) Muscle strength, gait, and balance in 20 patients with hip osteoarthritis followed for 2 years after THA. Acta Orthop 81:183–188. doi:10.3109/17453671003793204

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Reiner R, Nef T, Colombo G (2005) Robot-aided neurorehabilitation of the upper extremities. Med Biol Eng Comput 43:2–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Roll JP, Vedel JP (1982) Kinaesthetic role of muscle afferents in man, studied by tendon vibration and microneurography. Exp Brain Res 47:177–190

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Shaffer SW, Harrison AL (2007) Aging of the somatosensory system: a translational perspective. Phys Ther 87:193–207

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Vahtrik A, Gapeyeva H, Aibast H, Ereline J, Kums T, Haviko T, Märtson A, Schneider G, Pääsuke M (2012) Quadriceps femoris muscle function prior and after total knee arthroplasty in women with knee osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20:2017–2025

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Vandervoort AA, Hayes KC (1989) Plantarflexor muscle function in young and elderly women. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 58:389–394

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Vodovnik L (1981) Therapeutic effects of functional electric stimulation of extremities. Med Biol Eng Comput 19:470–478

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by OSEO, French State Agency for innovation (n°A1007033N). The authors would like to thank Lamine Kone (TELICE group, University Lille 1), for his contribution to the electromagnetic compatibility tests, Régis Logier and Pascal Chaud (CI-CIT, Lille) for the risk assessment, and Noel Barrett for his efforts to improve the language of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. “Physical Activity, Muscle and Health” Laboratory, EA 6379, URePSSS, IFR 114, University Lille 1, Sciences et Technologies, 59650, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France

    Marie-Hélène Canu, Fabrice Fryziel, Jean-Pierre Noel, Vincent Tiffreau & Bruno Bastide

  2. University Lille Nord de France, 59000, Lille, France

    Marie-Hélène Canu, Fabrice Fryziel, Jean-Pierre Noel, Vincent Tiffreau, Marc Digumber & Bruno Bastide

  3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Lille University Hospital, 59000, Lille, France

    Vincent Tiffreau & Marc Digumber

Authors
  1. Marie-Hélène Canu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fabrice Fryziel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean-Pierre Noel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vincent Tiffreau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marc Digumber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Bruno Bastide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie-Hélène Canu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Canu, MH., Fryziel, F., Noel, JP. et al. A new device combining mechanical stimulation of plantar sole and Achilles’ tendon to alleviate the consequences of muscle deconditioning. Med Biol Eng Comput 54, 733–741 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-015-1363-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-015-1363-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation