The effect of 6 weeks of custom-molded foot orthosis intervention on postural stability in participants with >or=7 degrees of forefoot varus.
OBJECTIVE
Postural stability (PS) was assessed in a group of participants with >or=7 degrees of forefoot varus (FV) after 6 weeks of custom-molded functional foot orthosis (FO) intervention to investigate the effect of FO intervention in a population that may have decreased PS due to their foot structure.


METHODS
A force platform was used to assess right and left single-limb stance position and eyes open and eyes closed condition PS.


METHODS
PS was assessed in a biomechanics research laboratory.


METHODS
Twelve participants with >or=7 degrees of FV (MFV) and 5 participants with <7 degrees of FV (LFV) participated in the study.


METHODS
PS of the MFV group was assessed initially when FOs were received and after 6 weeks of FO intervention. The LFV group PS was assessed during initial and 6-week testing sessions.


METHODS
The root mean square of the center of pressure velocity was used to quantify single-limb stance PS during no FO and FO conditions.


RESULTS
LFV group PS did not change significantly (P=0.829) over the 6-week time period. Significant improvement was, however, reported in the MFV group anteroposterior (P=0.003) and mediolateral (P=0.032) PS at the 6-week assessment versus the initial assessment during both the noFO and FO conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Six weeks of FO intervention may significantly improve PS in participants with >or=7 degrees of FV both when wearing FOs and when not wearing FOs.
Cobb
Stephen C
SC
Center for Rehabilitation Research and Master of Athletic Training Program, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6226, USA. steve.cobb@ttuhsc.edu
Tis
Laurie L
LL
Johnson
Jeffrey T
JT
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000628:therapy*; D005545:Forefoot, Human / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors