Using a contralateral shoe lift to reduce gait deterioration during an offloading fast-walk setting in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A comparative feasibility study
Authors' conclusion
The offloading boot deteriorated gait function, but a contralateral shoe balancer minimized its impact, especially in the context of physical activity in people with diabetes and DPN.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), with diabetes without DPN, and without diabetes/DPN performing a 20-minute fast walk at 40–60% of cardiopulmonary capacity wearing an offloading boot
- Participants
- 32 individuals
- Comparison
- Gait with offloading boot and contralateral shoe balancer vs without shoe balancer, across DPN, diabetes without DPN and no diabetes groups
- DPNn = 16
- Diabetes without DPNn = 9
- Without diabetes/DPNn = 7reference
- Outcome
- Gait parameters with offloading boot and contralateral shoe balancer
Methodological detailsGait measured with inertial sensors; groups compared using one-way ANOVAs
- Gait measured with inertial sensors; groups compared using one-way ANOVAs
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Both diabetes groups: minimal decreased gait speed
- p > 0.005
- DPN: increased double-support percentage
- +4.6%, p = 0.01
Further findings
Feasibility
- Participants reporting the activity would be feasible daily
- 91%
Safety
- Few adverse events were reported
Original publication
Using a contralateral shoe lift to reduce gait deterioration during an offloading fast-walk setting in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A comparative feasibility study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 30 March 2023. doi:10.
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