RESULTS
1440 studies were identified for screening with 11 studies included in the review . Mean ( range ) quality scores were 67 % ( 39 – 96 %). The majority of studies investigated rheumatoid arthritis ( n = 7 ), but also included gout ( n = 2 ), and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis ( n = 2 ). Meta-analysis and GRADE assessment were not deemed appropriated based on methodological variation . Footwear interventions included off-the-shelf footwear , therapeutic footwear and therapeutic footwear with foot orthoses . Key footwear characteristics included cushioning and a wide toe box for rheumatoid arthritis ; cushioning , midsole stability and a rocker-sole for gout ; and a rocker-sole for 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis . Between group effect sizes for outcomes ranged from 0.01 to 1.26 . Footwear interventions were associated with reductions in foot pain , impairment and disability for people with rheumatoid arthritis . Between group differences were more likely to be observed in studies with shorter follow-up periods in people with rheumatoid arthritis ( 12 weeks ). Footwear interventions improved foot pain , function and disability in people with gout and foot pain and function in 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis . Footwear interventions were associated with changes to plantar pressure in people with rheumatoid arthritis , gout and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis and walking velocity in people with rheumatoid arthritis and gout .
CONCLUSION
Footwear interventions are associated with reductions in foot pain , impairment and disability in people with rheumatoid arthritis , improvements to foot pain , function and disability in people with gout and improvements to foot pain and function in people with 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis . Footwear interventions have been shown to reduce plantar pressure rheumatoid arthritis , gout and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis and improve walking velocity in rheumatoid arthritis and gout .
Current Pedorthics | March-April 2021 23