Effects of sitting balance training with a wedge on sitting pressure and verticality in young adults: A randomized crossover trial

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BACKGROUND: In sensory-motor rehabilitation, sitting-balance training using a wedge may enable optimal postural control. The efficacy and mechanism of achieving lateral adaptation to the sitting pressure and postural vertical are unclear. METHODS: We included 20 healthy participants in a single-blind, randomized crossover trial conducted over 1 day. Sitting pressure was measured while the postural vertical was assessed. The initial training required maximally and laterally inclining the trunk to the left or right, with or without a wedge, 60 times in 2 minutes (0.25 Hz). A repeated-measures 2-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc analysis was used, and a P value < .05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After wedge-adaptation training, the pressure on the weight-bearing surface in the postural vertical position increased only on the left side (P < .05). The directional and variability errors of the subjective postural vertical with eyes open and subjective postural vertical were within the range of normative values on verticality. CONCLUSION: Wedge-adaptation during sitting training affected sitting pressure and verticality. Therefore, there is potential for future rehabilitation interventions using sitting training with a wedge in individuals with balance disorders.