The effects of commercially available footwear on foot pain and disability in people with gout: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
There is limited evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for gout. The aim of the study was to determine whether a footwear intervention can reduce foot pain and musculoskeletal disability in people with gout.


METHODS
Thirty-six people with gout participated in a prospective intervention study over 8 weeks. Participants selected one of 4 pairs of shoes and thereafter wore the shoes for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was foot pain using a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes related to function and disability were also analysed.


RESULTS
The Cardio Zip shoe was selected by 58% of participants. Compared with baseline, overall scores for all shoes at 8-weeks demonstrated a decrease in foot pain (p = 0.03), general pain (p = 0.012), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)-II (p = 0.016) and Leeds Foot Impact Scale (LFIS) impairment subscale (p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed in other patient reported outcomes including patient global assessment, LFIS activity subscale, and Lower Limb Task Questionnaire subscales (all p > 0.10). We observed significant improvements between baseline measurements using the participants' own shoes and the Cardio Zip for foot pain (p = 0.002), general pain (p = 0.001), HAQ-II (p = 0.002) and LFIS impairment subscale (p = 0.004) after 8 weeks. The other three shoes did not improve pain or disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Footwear with good cushioning, and motion control may reduce foot pain and disability in people with gout.
Division of Rehabilitation & Occupation Studies, Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Akoranga Drive, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1020, New Zealand. krome@aut.ac.nz.
Keith
K
Rome
Sarah
S
Stewart
Alain C
AC
Vandal
Peter
P
Gow
Peter
P
McNair
Nicola
N
Dalbeth
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation*; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012775:Shoes; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome