Investigating the effects of appropriate fitting footwear on functional performance level, balance and fear of falling in older adults: A comparative-observational study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the characteristics of footwear altogether and to compare the effect of appropriate-fitting and ill-fitting footwear on functional performance, balance, and fear of falling (FoF) in older adults. Individuals who wore appropriate-fitting (n = 61) or ill-fitting footwear (n = 92) were enrolled in the study. Footwear was evaluated using the Footwear Assessment Scale (FAS). The participants were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, the Timed Up and Go test for functional performance and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale for FoF. Tests were conducted twice for each individual with or without footwear. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the MANOVA for scores of balance, performance and fear of falling and Chi-squared test for homogeneity. The Paired t-test was used to compare test scores with or without footwear. It was concluded that appropriate-fitting footwear improves balance, reduces fear of falling and may affect functional performance positively. ClinicalTrials.gov No: NCT04151654

Optimizing Post-Acute Care Patient Safety: A Scoping Review of Multifactorial Fall Prevention Interventions for Older Adults

“…Screening for fall risk and evaluating the multifactorial nature of PAC patients’ risk such as environmental hazards, fear of falling, balance deficits, inappropriate or ill-fitting footwear, and safety is consistent with existing community-based research (Chang & Ganz, 2007; Cheng et al, 2018; Maden et al, 2021; Tricco et al, 2017). However, in these prior systematic reviews, an older adult’s fall risk was assessed at a single point in time and intervention delivered based on that assessment, absent of a multidisciplinary team.…”

“…Consistent with efforts to address fall risk factors in the community and other healthcare settings (Cheng et al, 2018; Maden et al, 2021; Tricco et al, 2017), interventions targeted a variety of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as polypharmacy, footwear, vision limitations, functional ability (e.g., mobility, self-care), and the environment. However, the studies in our sample that engaged the PAC staff to deliver the intervention leveraged the expertise of the various members of the PAC care team, including geriatricians, occupational, physical, and speech therapists, social work, and nursing (e.g., Di Monaco et al, 2008; Forrest et al, 2012).…”

Enhancing Footwear Safety for Fall Prevention in Older Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Design Features

“…Those wearing ill-fitted shoes also exhibited lower scores on the Berg Balance Scale and reported higher levels of fear of falling, as measured by the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale. 23 ) Well-fitted footwear can enhance the stability, gait, and social engagement of older adults while reducing their fear of falling. 17 , 23 ) This underscores the importance of recommending properly fitting footwear as a viable strategy for mitigating the risk of STF incidents.…”

“… 23 ) Well-fitted footwear can enhance the stability, gait, and social engagement of older adults while reducing their fear of falling. 17 , 23 ) This underscores the importance of recommending properly fitting footwear as a viable strategy for mitigating the risk of STF incidents.…”

“…Moreover, older participants standing on hard insoles for extended durations reported discomfort. Although increased sole and insole hardness may improve stability, 61) 2012 Experiments ✓ Kim et al 27) 2012 Experiments ✓ Qiu et al 63) 2012 Experiments ✓ de Mettelinge et al 34) 2013 Experiments ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Hatton et al 16) 2013 Experiments ✓ Karlsson et al 48) 2013 Literature review ✓ Kuhirunyaratn et al 20) 2013 Case-control & interviews ✓ ✓ Ziaei et al 43) 2013 Semi-experimental ✓ Beschorner et al 42) 2014 Experiments ✓ Buchele et al 26) 2014 Prospective observational ✓ Lopez et al 19) 2015 Descriptive observational ✓ Qu 62) 2015 Experiments ✓ Vass et al 18) 2015 Observational survey & interviews ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Aboutorabi et al 30) 2016 Systematic review ✓ ✓ ✓ Davis et al 24) 2016 Randomised control trial ✓ ✓ Van der Cammen et al 38) 2017 Experiments & questionnaire ✓ ✓ Hurst et al 17) 2017 Systematic review ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Guidozzi 29) 2017 Literature review ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Hartung and Lalonde 46) 2017 Literature review ✓ Menz et al 59) 2017a Experiments & questionnaire ✓ ✓ Menz et al 64) 2017b Experiments & questionnaire ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Buldt and Menz 21) 2018 Systematic review ✓ Bonander and Holmberg 49) 2019 Quasi-experimental ✓ Yamaguchi and Masani 39) 2019 Data analysis ✓ O'Rourke et al 22) 2020 Observational cross-sectional ✓ ✓ ✓ Sundaram et al 45) 2020 Observational cross-sectional ✓ Amiez et al 65) 2021 Crossover, controlled, randomised single-blind ✓ ✓ ✓ Maden et al 23) 2021 Comparative observational single blind ✓ Hida et al 25) 2021 Experiments ✓ Li 44) 2021 the optimal materials and degree of hardness required to maintain the comfort of wear must be identified.…”