A110: The Impact of Shoe Wear on the 6 Minute Walk Test in Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

Background/Purpose:Health care professionals recommend appropriate athletic shoe wear to patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, particularly during exercise and activities to prevent pain or foot injury. Adolescents, however, tend to choose their shoe wear based on fashion rather than practical factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of shoe wear utilized had any impact on walking endurance in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.Methods:27 patients who participated in a walking program were included and assessed for exercise endurance using the 6‐Minute Walk Test (6MWT). 14 subjects were tested once and 13 subjects were tested 4 times with an interval of 6–8 weeks, for a total of 56 6MWTs. Patients were allowed to wear whatever type of shoes they wanted for each test. The type of shoe wear utilized by each patient was recorded for each 6 MWT. Type of shoe‐wear used by subjects varied, and was grouped into 3 categories for analysis purposes: athletic sneakers (n = 9); flat unsupportive sneakers, boots/ballet flats (n = 38); and flip‐flops/sandals (n = 10). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance.Results:27 patients (23 F, 4M, aged 11–19 years) enrolled in the study. The majority of 56 6MWT were done in flat shoes (38/56, 68 %) with athletic shoes utilized the least (9/56, 16%). Patients wearing athletic shoes walked the longest distance (503.94 + 64.03 m) followed by flats (494.56 + 58.45m) and sandals (480.29 + 72.39 m). These differences in 6MWT distance were not statistically significant (p = 0.61) likely due to small sample size.Conclusion:Though no statistically significant impact of shoe wear on walking endurance was found, subjects walked longer distances in 6 minutes when wearing athletic shoes. The difference seen may be clinically meaningful to this patient population. Based on the results of this small pilot study, further research on a larger population appears warranted.