Main types of insoles described in the literature and their applicability for musculoskeletal disorders of the lower limbs: A systematic review of clinical studies

Abstract

The objective of this review was to identify the main types of insoles described in the literature that are used to treat musculoskeletal alterations of lower limbs and to analyze the existence of previous evaluation for the prescription of these insoles. To this end, two researchers, independently and blindly, searched the PubMed, SciELO, Bireme, MEDLINE, Lilacs, PEDro, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases between June and July of 2018, from the free combination of the following descriptors: insoles, foot orthoses, foot, orthoses, musculoskeletal diseases and clinical trial. We included randomized or non-randomized clinical trials in which at least one intervention group used insoles and individuals with some type of musculoskeletal disorder had been sampled. Of the 227 documents identified in date bases, 20 were included in this review. In general, it is suggested to carry out more studies with more precise methods and that include evaluation before the prescription. This is a systematic review of clinical trials registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) under the protocol no. CRD42018099534e.

Keywords: Foot orthotics; Foot pain; Gait; Insoles; Orthosis.