## 4 Discussion  
As described in the Results, the observed effect for the primary outcome ([PERSON]'s d = 1.71) provided an achieved power of 99.8%, confirming that the study was adequately powered despite its pilot nature. The current study addressed the longstanding controversy regarding the standardised implementation of partial weight-bearing protocols--a topic that has generated both patient and therapist apprehension. Our findings demonstrate that using a load incentiviser, as a biofeedback device, significantly improves patients' perception and application of partial load during rehabilitation. Specifically, the study shows an immediate enhancement in load perception, as revealed by statistically significant differences between baseline (T0) and post-stimulation (T0 stimulus) assessments. This immediate improvement appears to be linked to an enhanced anticipatory system that better prepares the neuromuscular system to regulate weight distribution during gait. Addressing this gap, the present study examines a \"weight-bearing sensitivity enhancer\" constructed from readily available, low-cost materials. This novel biofeedback device is designed to provide continuous tactile input during ambulation, effectively bridging the gap between static instruction and the dynamic realities of everyday movement. By integrating an intuitive feedback mechanism into the rehabilitation process, the device aims to facilitate more accurate reproduction of prescribed partial weight-bearing and mitigate the deleterious effects of imprecise load application [1,3]. Unlike many high-end commercial systems, this prototype promises an economical solution that is potentially applicable in both clinical settings and community or home-based rehabilitation programmes. Tactile plantar feedback devices enhance partial weight-bearing accuracy following lower-limb surgery by activating cutaneous mechanoreceptors, particularly the slow-adapting type I (SA-I) and fast-adapting type I (FA-I) receptors. The SA-I mechanoreceptors, primarily associated with Merkel cells, provide sustained responses to static pressure and play a critical role in fine touch perception. At the same time, FA-I receptors respond dynamically to changes in stimulus, facilitating the perception of vibrations and transient mechanical changes underfoot [21]. These mechanoreceptors convey sensory information via afferent pathways to the central nervous system, including the cerebellar-thalamic loop, which integrates input for proprioceptive and motor coordination [22]. This integration is crucial for maintaining muscle stability and balance during movement, particularly following surgery when proprioceptive feedback may be compromised. Implementing threshold-triggered tactile cues from feedback devices evokes rapid motor corrections that enhance weight distribution awareness without reliance on visual cues. Such devices deliver real-time somatosensory feedback, helping the central nervous system compensate for the visual-spatial ambiguity often experienced post-surgery [23]. Research demonstrates that augmented somatosensory feedback, whether through vibrotactile insoles or electrotactile systems, significantly improves aspects of motor control, including balance and limb positioning, by providing immediate corrections to missteps or misalignment [24,25]. This enhances the brain's capacity to process proprioceptive information swiftly, fostering better adaptation to altered sensory conditions and reducing the risk of falls [26]. Recent studies have illustrated the efficacy of tactile feedback in clinical rehabilitation settings. For instance, tactile stimulation devices have been reported to improve gait and balance performance in older adults, reinforcing the importance of integrated sensory feedback during walking tasks [26]. Moreover, studies indicate that tactile feedback can effectively recalibrate proprioceptive pathways, ultimately improving postural control in various populations, including those recovering from lower limb surgeries [27,28].