title: A systematic review of the effect of foot orthoses and shoe characteristics on balance in healthy older subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Foot orthoses are used to optimize lower extremity function and can improve postural stability by enhancing the afferent somatosensory feedback available to the central nervous system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of foot orthoses on balance control in older subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search strategy was based on the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome method. A search was performed in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases by using selected keywords. A total of 22 articles were selected for final evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrated that older people should be advised to wear thin, hard-soled footwear with high collars to reduce the risk of falling. The findings for insoles demonstrated an increase in balance control via vibratory or magnetic insoles, but textured insoles do not appear to be beneficial for balance improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foot orthoses improve postural stability via a somatosensory or biomechanical effect. Use of footwear with the proper features can be an appropriate intervention in order to increase the balance in the older population and reduce falls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Loss of balance is an important factor in increasing the risk of falling in older subjects. Foot orthoses can improve functional measures of stability in older adults. In this review, results from studies suggest a number of recommendations regarding the optimal footwear for older people to reduce the risk of falling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aboutorabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahramizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran m.arazpour@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.affiliation: Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fadayevatan
authors.affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzam
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farahmand
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: IHSCR, Faculty of Health & Social Care, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes
keywords: Foot orthoses; balance; insole; older people; shoe