Comparison of postural sway depending on balance pad type.
DongGeon Lee, HaNa Kim, HyunJi An and 7 others
PMID 29545688WHAT IT FOUND
Air-filled balance pads significantly increase postural sway compared to firm foam pads and flat ground.
Firm pads produce sway levels similar to standing on the floor, suggesting they are appropriate starting points for patients with poor balance.
Key findings
01Standing on air-filled balance pads (Dynair Senso and Dynair XXL) significantly increased postural sway velocity, path length, and area compared to baseline, firm foam pads, and Aero-Step XL.
02Standing on the Balance-pad Elite (firm foam) or Aero-Step XL did not result in significant differences in postural sway compared to standing on a flat surface without a pad.
03There were no significant differences in postural sway between the two air-filled pads, which differed only in size, or between the two firm pads.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only nine healthy young women (aged 20-29), so the results may not generalize to older adults, men, or individuals with balance impairments. The study measured immediate postural sway response, not long-term training effects or improvements in balance control over time. Participants were instructed to look at a fixed target, which controls for visual input but may not reflect real-world dynamic environments.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that standing on a Balance-pad Elite or Aero-Step XL provides a greater balance challenge than standing on the floor. In this study, sway on these pads was not significantly different from baseline, meaning they may be too easy for patients who already have good static balance.