Aid, methods of using the same, and kits thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an aid for inducing a physiologically desirable movement. The aid comprises upper and lower surfaces, defining therebetween a thickness of the aid. The aid also comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper surface of the aid and capable of engaging a body portion of a user for inducing discomfort in the body portion. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the aid to induce the physiologically desirable movement in a subject in need thereof and kits including one or more aids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aid for inducing a physiologically desirable movement, the aid comprising
 (a) upper and lower surfaces, defining therebetween a thickness of the aid, and   (b) a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper surface of the aid and capable of engaging a body portion of a user for inducing discomfort in the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The aid of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a shape selected from the group consisting of a pyramidal shape, a spherical shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a trapezoidal shape, a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a conical shape, and an irregular shape, and wherein the protrusions have a height of about 2 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The aid of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the aid is uniform, and wherein the thickness of the aid is about 1 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The aid of  claim 1 , wherein the aid is selected from an insole, a back pad, and a butt pad. 
     
     
         5 . The aid of  claim 4 , wherein the aid is an insole including
 (a) a toe end and a heel end, defining therebetween a length dimension of the insole.   
     
     
         6 . The aid of  claim 5 , wherein the protrusions are arranged in rows extending at least partially in the length dimension of the insole. 
     
     
         7 . The aid of  claim 5 , wherein a first of the protrusions is spaced from a second of the protrusions, defining therebetween a distance, and wherein the distance is about 10 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The aid of  claim 5 , wherein the insole is adaptable to be positioned in footwear, and wherein the footwear is selected from the group consisting of a sandal, a shoe, and a sock. 
     
     
         9 . The aid of  claim 5 , wherein the body portion is a foot of the user, wherein a hallux and a heel of the foot define therebetween a length dimension of the foot, and wherein the length dimension of the insole is substantially equivalent to the length dimension of the foot of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The aid of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion includes
 (a) a distal end located opposite the upper surface of the aid and having a cross-sectional shape with a first area, and   (b) a proximal end located adjacent to the upper surface of the aid and having a cross-sectional shape with a second area,   
       wherein the first area is smaller than the second area. 
     
     
         11 . The aid of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion is conical with an apex located opposite the upper surface of the aid, and wherein the apex is engageable with the body portion of the user. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating a subject suffering from gait asymmetry, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an insole including
 (i) upper and lower surfaces, defining therebetween a thickness of the insole, 
 (ii) a toe end and a heel end, defining therebetween a length dimension of the insole, and 
 (iii) a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper surface of the insole and engagable with a body portion of the subject for inducing discomfort in the body portion; and 
   (b) contacting the body portion of the subject with the insole for a period of time sufficient to modify the gait of the subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject had a stroke. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the stroke is a unilateral stroke, and wherein the body portion is a non-paretic sole of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the protrusions extend from at least one of a toe region, an arch region, and a heel region of the insole. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the period of time includes a plurality of discrete time periods. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning the insole in footwear of the subject, and wherein the footwear is selected from the group consisting of a sandal, a shoe, and a sock. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 (a) replacing the insole with a second insole, wherein the second insole comprises
 (i) upper and lower surfaces, defining therebetween a thickness of the second insole, 
 (ii) a toe end and a heel end, defining therebetween a length dimension of the second insole, and 
 (iii) a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper surface of the second insole and engagable with the body portion of the subject for inducing discomfort in the body portion; and 
   (b) contacting the body portion of the subject with the second insole for a period of time sufficient to modify the gait of the subject,   
       wherein the protrusions of the second insole have a height greater than a height of the protrusions of the first insole. 
     
     
         19 . A method for inducing a physiologically desirable movement, the method comprising:
 (a) providing the aid of  claim 1 ; and   (b) contacting a first body portion of the subject with the aid for a period of time sufficient to modify the movement of the subject, wherein the first body portion is contralateral to a second body portion to which weight is to be shifted.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the subject is suffering from at least one of a musculoskeletal impairment and a neurological impairment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the neurological impairment is selected from the group consisting of a stroke and a unilateral stroke. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the neurological impairment is a unilateral stroke, and wherein the first body portion is a non-paretic body portion of the subject. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein contacting includes positioning the protrusions adjacent to the first body portion of the subject. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the period of time includes a plurality of discrete time periods. 
     
     
         25 . A kit comprising:
 (a) a plurality of insoles, each insole including
 (i) upper and lower surfaces, defining therebetween a thickness of the respective insole, and 
 (ii) protrusions extending from the upper surface and engageable with a body portion of a subject for inducing discomfort in the body portion. 
   
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the aid is an insole comprising a toe end and a heel end, defining therebetween a length dimension of the insole. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein a height of the protrusions of a first insole are smaller than a height of the protrusions of a second insole. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the thickness of a first insole is smaller than the thickness of a second insole. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the length dimension of a first insole is substantially equivalent to the length dimension of a second insole. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the subject had a stroke, and wherein the body portion is a non-paretic body portion of the subject. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the protrusions of a first aid are arranged in a first pattern and the protrusions of a second aid are arranged in a second pattern, and wherein the first and second patterns are substantially different from one another. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the insoles are adaptable to be positioned in footwear, and wherein the footwear is selected from the group consisting of a sandal, a shoe, and a sock.