Iranian Rehabilitation Journal (Dec 2024)

Efficacy of Foot Orthoses With Sensorimotor Bars on Gait, Postural Control, and Muscle Activity in Healthy Individuals and Those With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review

  • Hanieh Khaliliyan,
  • Mahmood Bahramizadeh,
  • Alireza Khaghani,
  • Shahla Mohajeri,
  • Francesco Chirico,
  • Kavita Batra,
  • Lukasz Szarpak,
  • Majid Ansari,
  • Aanuoluwapo Afolabi,
  • Olayinka Ilesanmi,
  • Gabriella Nucera,
  • Hicham Khabbache,
  • Farhad Ghaffari,
  • Arash Sharafatvaziri,
  • Mohammad Taghi Karimi

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 4
pp. 529 – 546

Abstract

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Objectives: The foot and ankle complex is crucial in stability, propulsion, and musculoskeletal interactions. Optimizing orthotic interventions in this anatomical region is essential to improve motor outcomes. This systematic review investigates the impact of foot orthoses (FOs) with sensorimotor bars on gait, postural control, and muscle activity in healthy individuals and those with musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We conducted an electronic search in January 2024 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The article identification, screening, and selection followed the PISMA (the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. We conducted the quality assessment using the PEDro (the physiotherapy evidence database) checklist. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using the Cochrane handbook for systematic review of interventions. Results: FOs with sensorimotor bars can increase foot external rotation, dorsiflexion, and abduction while decreasing foot eversion. Additionally, they can reduce anteroposterior displacement of the hip, shoulder, and head. Furthermore, significant improvements have been observed in spatiotemporal parameters such as walking speed, stride length, stance time, swing time, and kinetic parameters such as plantar pressure. These orthoses can also impact clinical tasks and decrease center-of-pressure movements. Discussion: Sensorimotor bars have demonstrated beneficial effects on gait (kinematic, kinetic, and spatial-temporal measures), balance control (clinical performance and center of pressure displacement measures), and muscle activity recording.

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