Effect of Customized Foot Insoles and Textured Insoles on the Balance and Postural Control in Elderly with Pes Planus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background An increase in age is associated with reduced postural stability and increased fall risk. Foot orthoses are the supplementary measure to enhance balance by activating mechanical receptors of the foot plantar thus amplifying somatosensory input.Objectives To compare and assess the effectiveness of two insoles customized insoles and textured insoles on balance and postural control in elderly. This study also aimed to identify the risk of fall prevention in elderly by using customized insoles and textured insoles.Methods This was a partially randomized controlled trial with patient preference protocol for evaluating the effect of two different insoles customized or textured on the balance of primary care elderly people compared with a control group without orthoses. The outcome measure were Berg balance scale and time up and go test conducted before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed after eight weeks of intervention period.Results Thirty participants 8 males and 22 females were enrolled. On comparison with the baseline scores the intervention group 2 textured insole showed moderately significant improvement in time up and go posttest P value- 0.041.Conclusion Improvements observed in balance and postural control in the subjects wearing customized or textured insoles. These approaches could serve as a cost-effective and widely accessible supplementary technique to enhance balance in the older adults living in the community. The use of insoles for eight weeks resulted in statistically significant improvements in balance functional mobility and pain.