Improvement of plantar tactile sensitivity by stochastic resonance for prevention of falling

For a senior person, the fall is danger with the risk of the injuries such as bone fractures. Plantar tactile sensibility is one of the senses contributing to stability of gait. In this study, we develop a device improving plantar tactile sensitivity by stochastic resonance to improve stability of gait of elderly person. For development of the device, we tested whether the plantar tactile sensitivity improved by application of vibrating noise to the part except the sole of foot. As a result of experiment, we found that plantar tactile sensitivity was improved when vibration was given on tarsal tunnel. It suggested that the device which improved the stability of gait putted on the part except the sole of foot was feasible.