ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2018 October;58(10):1418-22

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07530-2

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of nanotechnology-based devices on postural control in healthy subjects

Giovanna MALCHIODI ALBEDI ¹, Stefano CORNA ¹, Valentina ASPESI ¹, Daniela CLERICI ¹, Cinzia PARISIO ¹, Jonathan SEITANIDIS ¹, Nicola CAU ² ✉, Luisa BRUGLIERA ¹, Paolo CAPODAGLIO ¹

¹ Unit of Rehabilitation, Research Lab of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, S. Giuseppe Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy; ² Department of Electronics, Information Technology, and Bioengineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, Milan, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present preliminary randomized controlled study was to ascertain whether the use of newly developed nanotechnologies-based patches can influence posture control of healthy subjects.
METHODS: Thirty healthy female subjects (age 39.4 years, BMI 22.74 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to two groups: one with active patches and a control group with sham patches. Two patches were applied with a tape: one on the subject’s sternum and the other on the C7 apophysis. Body sway during quiet upright stance was recorded with a dynamometric platform. Each subject was tested under two visual conditions, eyes open and closed. We used a blocked stratified randomization procedure conducted by a third party.
RESULTS: Subjects wearing the sham patches showed a significant increase of the center of pressure sway area after 4 hours when they performed the habitual moderate-intensity work activities. In the active patch group, a decrease of the sway path was evident, providing evidence of an enhanced balance control.
CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings on healthy subjects indicate that nanotechnological devices generating ultra-low electromagnetic fields can improve posture control.

KEY WORDS: Posture - Nanotechnology - Rehabilitation