J Dixon1, A L Hatton2, J Robinson3, H Gamesby-Iyayi3, D Hodgson3, K Rome4, R Warnett5, D J Martin3. 1. Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. Electronic address: john.dixon@tees.ac.uk. 2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 3. Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK. 4. Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand. 5. Department of Rehabilitation, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immediate effects of textured insoles on balance and gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to explore any effects after 2 weeks of wear. STUDY DESIGN: Within-session repeated-measures design with an exploratory follow-up period. SETTING: Hospital gait laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six individuals with MS (34 females, 12 males), with a mean (SD) age of 49 (7) years, who could walk 100m unassisted or using one stick/crutch. INTERVENTION: Participants were tested wearing three types of insoles in a random order: control (smooth), Texture 1 (Algeos) or Texture 2 (Crocs™). Participants were allocated at random to wear one type of textured insoles for 2 weeks, after which they were retested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standing balance (centre of pressure excursions and velocity) was measured with eyes open and eyes closed on a Kistler force platform. Spatio-temporal parameters of gait were measured using a GAITRite system. RESULTS: The textured insoles had no significant immediate effects on balance or gait, apart from an increase in anteroposterior sway range with eyes open for Texture 2 insoles [mean difference 4.5 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 8.4)mm]. After 2 weeks, balance was not significantly different, but both types of textured insoles showed significant effects on spatio-temporal parameters of gait, with mean stride length increases of 3.5cm (Texture 1) and 5.3cm (Texture 2) when wearing the insoles. CONCLUSIONS: After 2 weeks of wear, there were improvements in spatio-temporal parameters of gait. However, it is unclear whether this was a placebo effect or a learning effect.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immediate effects of textured insoles on balance and gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to explore any effects after 2 weeks of wear. STUDY DESIGN: Within-session repeated-measures design with an exploratory follow-up period. SETTING: Hospital gait laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six individuals with MS (34 females, 12 males), with a mean (SD) age of 49 (7) years, who could walk 100m unassisted or using one stick/crutch. INTERVENTION: Participants were tested wearing three types of insoles in a random order: control (smooth), Texture 1 (Algeos) or Texture 2 (Crocs™). Participants were allocated at random to wear one type of textured insoles for 2 weeks, after which they were retested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standing balance (centre of pressure excursions and velocity) was measured with eyes open and eyes closed on a Kistler force platform. Spatio-temporal parameters of gait were measured using a GAITRite system. RESULTS: The textured insoles had no significant immediate effects on balance or gait, apart from an increase in anteroposterior sway range with eyes open for Texture 2 insoles [mean difference 4.5 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 8.4)mm]. After 2 weeks, balance was not significantly different, but both types of textured insoles showed significant effects on spatio-temporal parameters of gait, with mean stride length increases of 3.5cm (Texture 1) and 5.3cm (Texture 2) when wearing the insoles. CONCLUSIONS: After 2 weeks of wear, there were improvements in spatio-temporal parameters of gait. However, it is unclear whether this was a placebo effect or a learning effect.
Authors: Anna L Hatton; Elise M Gane; Jayishni N Maharaj; Joshua Burns; Joanne Paton; Graham Kerr; Keith Rome Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-07-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Anna L Hatton; François Hug; Brooke C M Brown; Leon P Green; Jacob R Hughes; Jarrad King; Emma J Orgar; Kate Surman; Bill Vicenzino Journal: J Foot Ankle Res Date: 2015-09-07 Impact factor: 2.303