YZU develops new vibrating insoles to improve walking in balance

Jiann-Shing Shieh, Professor of Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Yuan Ze University and his team developed vibrating insoles to improve balance control in elderly people without trip over their own feet.

With assistance of Chen, Chih-Dao, chief of Family Medicine Department, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, the vibrating insole study enrolled elderly volunteers, and gained the data about the risk of falling and balance analysis. Shieh expressed that the participants stand still on pressure sensor by measuring trajectory of body center of gravity in 60 second. After test of balance, the participants had to walk for one hour with the vibrating–insoles shoes. And then they removed the shoes and repeated balance test again. This study was to compare the balance before and after foot stimulation, said Prof. Shieh, its can evaluate the effect of foot stimulation on body balance. He hoped the special design of insoles can improve the balance and reduce the fall in the elderly.