Abstract

This study analyzed the ability of an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system to provide repeatable measurements of postural sway data for both healthy and clinical patients. Each participant's in-shoe pressure data were recorded for three trials during each test session during quiet stance. Healthy individuals (n = 9) participated on three consecutive days while clinical participants (n = 5) were tested on one day. Nine response variables were measured to assess their postural stability. Intrasubject measures were evaluated using the Kerlinger reliability procedure. Values provided directly by the Parotec System for a single day of testing yielded the following average coefficients: r = 0.95 (left), r = 0.97 (right) with mean coefficient values from the three day tests of: r = 0.98 (left), r = 0.98 (right). Variables calculated from raw data on a single day produced mean coefficients of: r = 0.77 (left), r = 0.76 (right) and over three days of: r = 0.65 (left), r = 0.66 (right). The ability to record highly reproducible data of postural sway parameters should assist clinicians to treat patients more confidently for balance deficiencies.