title: Effect of rocker shoes on pain, disability and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease which affects the joints and soft tissues of the foot and ankle. Rocker shoes may be prescribed for the symptomatic foot in rheumatoid arthritis; however, there is a limited evidence base to support the use of rocker shoes in these patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of heel-to-toe rocker shoes on pain, disability, and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen female patients with rheumatoid arthritis of 1 year or more duration, disease activity score of less than 2.6, and foot and ankle pain were recruited. Heel-to-toe rocker shoe was made according to each patient's foot size. All the patients were evaluated immediately, 7 and 30 days after their first visit. Foot Function Index values were recorded at each appointment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the use of rocker shoes, Foot Function Index values decreased in all subscales. This reduction was noted in the first visit and was maintained throughout the trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rocker shoe can improve pain, disability, and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid foot pain. All the subjects reported improved comfort levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study showed that high-top, heel-to-toe rocker shoe with wide toe box was effective at reducing foot and ankle pain. It was also regarded as comfortable and acceptable footwear by the patients with rheumatoid foot problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ma.bagherzadeh@uswr.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Masumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bagherzadeh Cham
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadegh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Brain and spinal cord injury repair research center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forogh
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Lab., Rehabilitation Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Basic Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanjari
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Firouzgar General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mozdeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zabihi Yeganeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Arezoo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eshraghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D012775:Shoes; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Foot Function Index questionnaire; Rheumatoid arthritis; pain; rocker shoes