The Feetback Shoe Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preventing falls in older people by an innovative connected shoe: development & biomechanics study
IRAS ID
240121
Contact name
Kristiaan D'Aout
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Can wearing minimal shoes reduce the risk of falls in older people?
A third of people over 65, and half of people over 80, fall at least once a year. Falls are the most common cause of death from injury in the over 65s and cost the National Health Service over 2 billion £ a year. Shoes directly influence balance, gait, and the subsequent risk of slips, trips and falls by altering somatosensory feedback to the foot and ankle. Minimal shoes, that is shoes lacking a firm heel cup, a rigid sole or longitudinal arch support, have shown advantages in strengthening muscles and improving balance as compared to conventional shoes. However, limited research has studied the effect of minimal shoe in older people at risk of falls. The aim of the project will be to assess the effect of minimal shoes on physical function, gait and postural stability, muscle activity and perceptions of footwear in older people at risk of falls, compared to conventional shoes. Study participants will attend a single testing session at the Movement Laboratory of the University of Liverpool. The study will assess participants physical function, stability of standing and walking, an activity of lower leg muscles and perceptions of footwear while wearing three different types of footwear: a minimal shoe, a conventional shoe and barefoot. Study participants will also be offered a participation in a two-week exploratory study, where adherence and satisfaction of using minimal shoes in daily life will be recorded.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0197
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion