Randomized clinical trial into the impact of rigid foot orthoses on balance parameters in excessively pronated feet

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From Clin Rehabil. 2004 Sep;18(6):624-30.

Randomized clinical trial into the impact of rigid foot orthoses on balance

parameters in excessively pronated feet.

Rome K, Brown CL.

University of Teesside, School of Health and Social Care, Centre for

Rehabilitation Sciences, Middlesbrough, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of rigid foot orthoses on balance parameters

in participants with clinically diagnosed excessively pronated feet.

DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: University biomechanics laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty female and 20 male healthy participants (mean 23.8+/-2.2

years old) with excessively pronated feet, according to a validated foot

classification system were randomly assigned to either a control or intervention

group.

INTERVENTIONS: Balance testing was performed using the Balance Performance

Monitor with an over-the-counter rigid foot orthoses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standing balance in the form of mean balance (measures

the participants ability to stand with an even load), medial-lateral sway and

anterior-posterior sway. All participants were measured while standing

bipedally.

RESULTS: There was no significant mean difference in balance scores between the

control and intervention group at baseline. After four weeks the results

demonstrated no significant differences between mean% balance (p >0.05) and

anterior-posterior sway (p >0.05). However, there was a reduction with the

intervention group in medial-lateral sway (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION: The use of foot orthoses in the current study may have improved

postural control by stabilizing the rear foot and thus maintaining balance. By

the same argument, the benefits of limiting excessive foot pronation may

contribute to effective control of internal rotation of the tibia and thereby

reduce counter-rotatory motion at the knee and lower leg and maintain balance.