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Sensory electrical stimulation and postural balance: a comprehensive review

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Sensory electrical stimulation (SES)—i.e., low-intensity electrical currents below, at, or just above the sensory threshold but below the motor threshold—is mainly used to restore/improve postural balance in pathological and healthy subjects. However, the ins and outs of its application as well as the neurophysiological effects induced are not yet well known. Hence, the aim of this paper was to address the effects of SES on postural balance based on these considerations.

Method

The immediate/concurrent effects (SES applied during postural balance measurements), the acute effects (SES durably applied before measuring postural balance) and the chronic effects (SES included in training/rehabilitation programs, i.e., measurements performed before and after the programs) were analysed with a comprehensive review.

Result

SES can lead to the improvement of postural balance using any of the three applications (immediate/concurrent, acute and chronic), notably in pathological subjects. The beneficial effects of SES can take place at the peripheral (sensory receptors sensitivity), spinal (spinal motoneural excitablity) and supra-spinal (cortex reorganisation or adaptation) levels. In healthy subjects, SES appears interesting, but too few studies have been conducted with this population to report clear results. Moreover, the literature is relatively devoid of comparative studies about the characteristics of the stimulation current (e.g., location, current parameters, duration).

Conclusion

In practice, SES appears to be particularly useful to reinforce or restore the postural function in the immediate/concurrent, acute or chronic application in pathlogical populations while its effects should be confirmed in healthy sujects by future studies. Moreover, future research should focus on the different characteristics of stimulation.

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Abbreviations

A/P:

Antero-posterior

CNS:

Central nervous system

COP:

Center of foot pressure

COPD:

Displacement of COP

COPV:

Displacement velocity of COP

COPS:

Displacement surface of COP

EO:

Eyes open

EC:

Eyes closed

FAI:

Functional ankle instability

GABA:

Gamma aminobutyric acid

M/L:

Medio-lateral

NMES:

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

SES:

Sensory electrical stimulation

SR:

Standard rehabilitation

TA:

Tibialis anterior

TS:

Triceps surae

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Mouvement, Equilibre, Performance et Santé, EA 4445, Département STAPS, Université de Pau et des Pays de L’Adour/E2S, ZA Bastillac Sud, 65000, Tarbes, France

    Thierry Paillard

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Thierry Paillard (TP), I am the sole author.

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Paillard, T. Sensory electrical stimulation and postural balance: a comprehensive review. Eur J Appl Physiol 121, 3261–3281 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04767-5

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