title: The effect of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) footwear on lower limb biomechanics: A systematic review.
abstract: This systematic review evaluated the available evidence for the effects of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) footwear on lower limb biomechanics during gait. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed) were searched in January 2015. Methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Quality Index. Standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and meta-analysis was conducted where possible. 17 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria; 16 cross-sectional studies and one randomised control trial (RCT). Quality Index scores ranged from 7 to 12 (out of 15). All 17 studies investigated walking gait only. Evidence showed that MBT footwear caused asymptomatic individuals to walk with a shorter stride length, reduced peak hip flexion, increased peak knee extension, and reduced hip and knee range of motion throughout gait. All kinematic effects occurred in the sagittal plane. There was a trend towards a decrease in internal and external joint moments and power, except for the foot, where increases in force were observed. There were only a small number of changes to lower limb muscle amplitude and timing. No statistically significant effects were observed in symptomatic individuals with knee osteoarthritis or following total knee replacement, but there was an increase in cadence and a decrease in step length in individuals following tibiotalar arthrodesis. These findings suggest that MBT footwear does change lower limb biomechanics in both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals during gait. However, further clinical trials need to be undertaken to determine whether these changes are therapeutically beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia. Electronic address: Jade.Tan@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jade M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Auhl
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Hylton B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Menz
authors.affiliation: Clinical Exercise & Rehabilitation Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, VIC 8001, Australia.
authors.forename: Pazit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Levinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Shannon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Munteanu
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Footwear; Gait; Kinematic; Kinetic; Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT); Spatiotemporal