Foot orthoses were effective for improving balance and for reducing pain and disability in elderly women. Orthoses can be used as an adjuvant strategy to improve balance and to prevent falls in the elderly.

Objectives: To compare balance, foot function and mobility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with and without foot orthoses. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient rheumatology clinic. Subjects: A total of 94 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis were randomized; of these, 81 were included in the analyses (Intervention group: 40; Control group: 41). Intervention: The Intervention Group received custom-made foot orthoses while the Control Group received none intervention. Main measure: The “Foot Function Index,” the “Berg Balance Scale,” and the “Timed-up-and-go Test” were assessed at baseline an after four weeks. The chosen level of significance was P < 0.05. Results: Average (standard deviation) participant age was 56.7 (±10.6) years old and average disease duration (standard deviation) was 11.4 (± 7.2) years. Groups were similar at baseline, except for comorbidity index and race. After four weeks, significant interaction group versus time was observed for Foot Function Index (change: Intervention group: −1.23 ± 1.58; Control group: −0.12 ± 1.16 – P = 0.0012) and for Berg Balance Scale (change: Intervention group: 2 ± 3; Control group: 0 ± 3 – P = 0.0110), but not for the Timed-up-and-go Test (change: Intervention group: −1.34 ± 1.99; Control group: −0.84 ± 2.29 – P = 0.0799). Conclusion: Foot orthoses improved foot function and balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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BackgroundAging is associated with reduced postural stability and increased fall risk. Foot orthoses have been reported as an adjuvant intervention to improve balance by stimulating foot plantar mechanical receptors and thus increasing somatosensory input.PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of flat and textured insoles on the balance of primary care elderly people.DesignProspective, parallel, randomized, and single-blind trial.MethodsA total of 100 subjects from a primary care unit, aged ≥65 years, were randomly assigned to intervention groups with flat insoles (n=33), textured insoles (n=33), or control group (n=34) without insoles. The Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.ResultsImprovements in the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test were noted only in intervention groups with insoles but not in control group. No significant difference was found between flat and textured insoles. Minor adverse effects were noted only in the group with textured insoles.ConclusionThe results suggest that foot orthoses (both flat and textured insoles) are effective in improving balance in primary care elderly people. They may represent a low-cost and high-availability adjuvant strategy to improve balance and prevent falls in this population.

Primeiramente, agradeço a Deus por ter me dado essa oportunidade, a sabedoria e paciência para concluir este trabalho e por ter colocado em minha vida pessoas tão importantes que me auxiliaram durante todo o percurso para chegar até aqui.Aos meus pais pelo amor sempre dedicado, pelas orações e torcidas por cada conquista.Aos meus irmãos Guilherme, Davi, Franciana, Vinícius e Márcia pelo companheirismo incondicional. Agradeço a Deus todos os dias pelos irmãos maravilhosos que eu tenho.Às minhas avós Eudorica e Divina que eu amo muito, e que representam exemplo de boa velhice.Ao meu orientador, Prof. Dr. Manoel pela oportunidade, confiança e incentivo.Ao Eduardo por toda paciência, ensinamentos, ideias, força, pela preciosa amizade e por compartilhar do seu conhecimento de modo tão generoso.À Graça por ter me acolhido e acreditado que podia dar certo.Ao Augusto, pelo amor, alegria, encorajamento, companheirismo, e pelo carinho através das flores que tanto me fortaleceram e incentivaram a continuar.Às minhas amigas, primas e companheiras de jornada pelos sorrisos nos momentos difíceis, pelos abraços nos momentos alegres e pela torcida.Aos professores da banca examinadora, pela disponibilidade, prontidão e dedicação.Aos meus amigos da turma de Mestrado, por crescermos juntos com tanto humor e amizade.vi "Ter a consciência de que tudo do que fizemos nunca ficou aquém da nossa capacidade e ter a certeza de que tudo o que foi feito ainda pode ser melhorado. Talvez seja esta a única forma de poder dizer: Obrigado, Senhor, pelo dom da vida." (Sérgio Rosseto) vii Barbosa CM (2011). Efeito do uso de palmilhas no equilíbrio de idosas com osteoporose.