Haptic supplementation and postural control in the elderly: Review and perspectives for assistive technologies

The present review paper focuses on the potential beneficial effect of haptic supplementation on postural control in the elderly. In the first part, we analyse the effects of age-related alterations in sensory integration on postural stability, in relation with the current models of human upright stance and sensorimotor mechanisms of postural control. Then, we present existing biofeedback devices and the most influential studies on haptic supplementation provided by a fixed or a mobile “touch support” that have been shown to enhance postural stability. In particular, we detailed preliminary results of a research program currently in progress in our group to investigate the effect of functional haptic information provided by a mobile support on postural stability. We speculate about potential applications of these findings. Finally, we suggest that investigating the effects of a haptic stick could help to better understand how elderly people use a walking aid in a “light” manner as a mediator for sensory cues during locomotion. In addition, it could eventually lead to the conception of new walking aids for various populations.