Impact of Asthma on Plantar Pressures in a Sample of Adult Patients: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Based on the high prevalence of asthma in the population, and its relationship with various musculoskeletal and postural disorders, the aim of this study was to evaluate the plantar pressures in asthmatic patients compared to a control group. A case-control study involving 90 participants was conducted, consisting of 45 asthma patients and 45 healthy paired controls. Static plantar pressure data were recorded using a portable pressure sensor platform. Statistically significant differences were shown in the body weight on the left heel (p = 0.031), and the right forefoot maximum peak pressure was lower in the case group (p = 0.042). The findings of this study show alterations in static plantar pressures in asthmatic patients compared to healthy individuals. Specifically, the subjects with asthma showed less maximum pressure in the right forefoot and less weight on the left heel, which appear to be associated with the asthma disease.