Scientific evidence on the use of proprioceptive insoles in patients affected by neurological disorders: literature review

Abstract

Objective: the aim of the study was to evaluate if the use of postural textured insoles or other types of stimulating
insoles improved the control of postural balance (range of anteroposterior and middle-lateral sway of the Center of
Pressure on different surfaces and in conditions of closed or open eyes) and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait
(stride duration, stride length, Centre of Pressure sway, cadence, velocity, walking distance, step-by-step variability)
in patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
Materials and methods: eight studies were included, RCT, meta-analysis and comparative cohort studies, through
research on various platforms such as PubMed Advanced and Scopus, as well as in peer-reviewed journals. The
enrolled participants were patients with S.M. or Parkinson in idiopathic form and non-advanced phase, excluding
patients with comorbid conditions or clinical history that could influence their condition. These were submitted to intervention with different types of insoles and, because of the insufficient amount of data about the effects in the medium
and long term, the results relating to the immediate effects of the proprioceptive insoles are reported with
greater reliability.
Results: the insoles promote more significant effects in the condition of static balance with closed eyes; the effects on
the gait pattern seem to be modestly positive, from both the biomechanical articular and muscular point of view.
Conclusions: despite the results of the study appear heterogeneous because of the greater proprioceptive information
derives from muscle, joint and other sources of sensory feedback (and not only those coming from the plantar surface
one), the use of textured insoles or other types of stimulating insoles seems to have positive effects on the postural balance and gait. However, the effects in the medium and long term and the cutaneous adaptations of the plantar surface
in response to the use of these orthoses remain to be investigated: recently, these elements have been studied by a
protocol study for RCT, which lays the foundation for further investigations in this field.