Background: Several works have shown the benefits of foot orthosis intervention on postural stability in healthy individuals and patients with foot malalignment. However, the effects of foot orthoses on the daily ambulatory activities explored by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were never examined. We hypothesized that foot orthoses could increase the gait distance and attenuate the post-6MWT posture alterations already reported in healthy individuals.

Methods: In ten normal-weight (NW) and ten obese patients with foot malalignment and/or abnormal foot arch, we examined the benefits of 4 weeks of custom-molded orthosis intervention (D30) on 6MWT gait distance, fatigue sensation scores, ankle plantarflexion force, and post-6MWT sway of the center of pressure (COP) measured by a pedobarographic platform. Data were compared with those measured in two control-matched groups of ten NW and ten obese individuals, explored at study inclusion and at D30.

Results: At study inclusion, the post-6MWT changes in COP surface and the medial and lateral COP deviations were significantly higher in obese participants who needed to wear the foot orthoses compared with obese control subjects. The foot orthosis intervention significantly improved the ambulatory performances of NW and obese individuals during the 6MWT, attenuated the bodily fatigue sensation after the 6MWT, and reduced the post-6MWT COP deviations, with the benefits of insoles being significantly accentuated in obese participants.

Conclusions: Four weeks of foot orthosis intervention significantly increases gait distance and is an effective means to reduce postural sway after walking.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.7547/16-161DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

orthosis intervention
20
foot orthosis
16
foot orthoses
12
gait distance
12
foot
9
weeks foot
8
obese patients
8
patients foot
8
foot malalignment
8
ten obese
8

Similar Publications

Background: Normal dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint during dynamic activities is critical for effective propulsion. Therapeutic foot orthotics may address the pathomechanical loading and joint kinematics issues faced by this population. This study aims to evaluate the effect of two different types of Custom-made foot orthosis compared to shod condition on the stiffness of the rearfoot, midfoot, and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint during walking in patients with Structural Hallux Limitus.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Adaptation of functional gait parameters to a newly provided stiffness-optimized ankle-foot orthosis.

Clin Biomech (Bristol)

December 2024

Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: Clinical decisions regarding ankle-foot-orthosis stiffness in people with calf muscle weakness are based on immediate evaluations, not taking gait adaptation into account. This study examined adaptation of step length, walking speed and energy cost of walking in the 3-months post-provision and whether individuals with higher gait variability adapt more compared to individuals with lower gait variability.

Methods: We conducted a post-hoc analysis in eighteen stiffness-optimized ankle-foot-orthosis users with bilateral calf muscle weakness.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Loss or displacement of a fat pad on the foot increases plantar pressure, leading to pain and plantar ulcers. These ulcers, especially in patients with diabetic neuropathy, have high recurrence rates, often resulting in amputations. Standard of care focuses on reducing plantar pressure with shoe padding or orthotic devices, leaving the restoration of the fat pad as an unmet medical need.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Comparison of the effects of orthoses on hallux valgus angle and plantar pressure in individuals with hallux valgus.

Prosthet Orthot Int

December 2024

Department of Orthosis and Prosthetics, School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is a condition characterized by the lateral deviation of the first phalanx and medial deviation of the first metatarsal, leading to subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Various orthotic applications are employed in the treatment of HV deformity. This study aimed to compare the effects of a toe separator (TS) and dynamic orthosis (DO) on hallux valgus angle (HVA), plantar pressure (PP), and quality of life (QoL).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effects of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses in children with cerebral palsy: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Prosthet Orthot Int

December 2024

Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.

Background: The dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) are made of neoprene material, providing the right biomechanical alignment and afferent input in the trunk, pelvis, and extremities, potentially allowing individuals to actively participate in daily life.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DEFOs applied to the lower trunk and pelvis, on balance, gait parameters, and pelvic symmetry in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Study Design: An evaluator-blinded randomized controlled trial.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!