Potential predictive effect of mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue, and vibration perception on plantar loading during gait in individuals with diabetes

BACKGROUND: This exploratory study aimed to investigate the extent to which mechanical properties of the plantar skin and superficial soft tissue (hardness, stiffness, and thickness) and vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) predict plantar pressure loading during gait in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Mechanical properties, VPTs, and plantar loadings during gait at the heel and first metatarsal head (MTH) of 20 subjects with diabetes, 13 with DPN, and 33 healthy controls were acquired. Multiple regression analyses were used to predict plantar pressure peaks and pressure-time integrals at both locations based on the mechanical properties of the skin and superficial soft tissues and VPTs. RESULTS: In the diabetes group at the MTH, skin hardness associated with 30-Hz (R(2) = 0.343) and 200-Hz (R(2) = 0.314) VPTs predicted peak pressure at the forefoot. In the controls at the heel, peak pressure was predicted by the skin thickness, hardness, and stiffness associated with 30-Hz (R(2) = 0.269, 0.268, and 0.267, respectively) and 200-Hz (R(2) = 0.214, 0.247, and 0.265, respectively) VPTs. CONCLUSION: The forefoot loading of people with diabetes can be predicted by the hardness of the skin when combined with loss of vibration perception at low (30-Hz) and high (200-Hz) frequencies. Further data from larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the current findings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-023-06851-7.