Mendeley  

Zotero  

Khajooei Z, Taheri A, Taghi Karimi M. The Immediate Effect of Insoles With Toe Grip Bar and Arch Support With Lateral Heel Flare on Static and Dynamic Stability in Older People With Balance Problems. jrehab 2025; 25 (4) :790-803
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3374-en.html

Objective Due to the increase in the older population and their high prevalence of falls and loss of balance, the use of medical insoles and shoes is one of the common and low-cost methods to improve balance in these people. This study uses a combined approach of shoes and soles (including shoes with lateral heel flares, arch support, and toe grip bar) on the static and dynamic balance parameters of older people with balance problems.
Materials & Methods This is a quasi-experimental before-and-after study conducted on 15 eligible seniors with a history of falling in the past 6 months (Mean±SD age, 70±3.94 years). This study used a semi-rigid EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) sole. Walking and standing stability tests were performed on the subjects in two conditions: one with standard shoes and the other with lateral heel flare and insole with arch support and toe grip bar. The gait analysis system was used to record the temporal and spatial parameters of walking and to measure balance.
Results Compared to standard shoes, shoes with a lateral heel flare, arch support, and toe grip bar significantly decreased the walking speed (P=0.003), cadence (P=0.004), and stride time (P=0.008). The finding of the movement of the center of pressure in the medial-lateral direction in the standing position increased significantly (P=0.001) when using modified shoes. The progressive force of the movement increased, and the opposing force of the movement decreased.
Conclusion Using shoes with heel flares, arch support, and a toe grip bar will increase balance. It also improved the parameters of step time and gait speed to facilitate movements in older people.