Footwear comfort: a systematic search and narrative synthesis of the literature

Abstract

Objective To provide a narrative synthesis of the research literature pertaining to footwear comfort, including definitions, measurement scales, footwear design features, and physiological and psychological factors. Methods A systematic search was conducted which yielded 101 manuscripts. The most relevant manuscripts were selected based on the predetermined subheadings of the review (definitions, measurement scales, footwear design features, and physiological and psychological factors). A narrative synthesis of the findings of the included studies was undertaken. Results The available evidence is highly fragmented and incorporates a wide range of study designs, participants, and assessment approaches, making it challenging to draw strong conclusions or implications for clinical practice. However, it can be broadly concluded that (i) simple visual analog scales may provide a reliable overall assessment of comfort, (ii) well-fitted, lightweight shoes with soft midsoles and curved rocker-soles are generally perceived to be most comfortable, and (iii) the influence of sole flexibility, shoe microclimate and insoles is less clear and likely to be more specific to the population, setting and task being performed. Conclusion Footwear comfort is a complex and multifaceted concept that is influenced not only by structural and functional aspects of shoe design, but also task requirements and anatomical and physiological differences between individuals. Further research is required to delineate the contribution of specific shoe features more clearly, and to better understand the interaction between footwear features and individual physiological attributes.

Australian secondary school principals’, parents’, and students’ attitudes to prescribed school footwear guidelines.

“…For students, appearance of the shoe and comfort were the most important factors when selecting the shoes worn to school. The perception of comfort may be in uenced by the appearance of the shoe as well as individual physiological factors, gender, wear time and psychosocial and developmental needs (24,25,34). As adolescence is a period of signi cant physical and psychosocial change, clothing, and by extension footwear, may provide adolescents with an opportunity to express their identity (35) which may go some way to explaining the high value placed on appearance by our cohort.…”

Australian secondary school principals', parents', and students' attitudes to prescribed school footwear guidelines

“…For students, appearance of the shoe and comfort were the most important factors when selecting the shoes worn to school. The perception of comfort may be influenced by the appearance of the shoe as well as individual physiological factors, gender, wear time and psychosocial and developmental needs [ 24 , 25 , 35 ]. As adolescence is a period of significant physical and psychosocial change, clothing, and by extension footwear, may provide adolescents with an opportunity to express their identity [ 36 ] which may go some way to explaining the high value placed on appearance by our cohort.…”

The Effectiveness of Customised 3D-Printed Insoles on Perceived Pain, Comfort, and Completion Time Among Frequent Park Runners: Study Protocol for a Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial (The ZOLES RCT)

“…Global Rating of Change (GRoC) in overall daily pain and discomfort [36]. b. Running-related foot/footwear comfort [37]. c. 5-k (parkrun) completion time.…”

“…They will use a 7-point scale, from − 3 ("much worse") to 3 ("much better"), as indicated in the study by Bobos et al [36] This outcome will be measured weekly until the 10-week mark, and again at the 18-week mark. • Running-related foot/footwear comfort: The change in comfort from the start to the 10-week mark, relating specifically to running and footwear, will be captured using a numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (Extremely uncomfortable) to 10 (Extremely comfortable) based on the parameters defined by Menz & Bonnano [37]. This outcome will be measured at baseline with weekly follow-up measurements until the 10-week mark, and again at the 18-week mark.…”