The efficacy of foot orthoses on alteration to center of pressure displacement in subjects with flat and normal feet: a literature review

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this review was to evaluate and compare the effect of foot orthoses on center of pressure (CoP) displacement in healthy patients and those with flat foot. Method: The search strategy was based on the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO) method. A search was performed in PubMed, Science Direct, Google scholar and ISI web of knowledge databases by using selected keywords. Seventeen articles were selected for final evaluation. The procedure was followed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. Result: The results of the literature review demonstrated that there is lack of evidence to show that FOs improve CoP displacement in subjects with flat foot. Conclusion: There is no consistent evidence to prove the efficacy of FOs on altering CoP displacement in healthy subjects but in those with flat foot, FOs decreased CoP excursion.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Foot orthoses (FOs) have become an integral part of the treatment of injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity.

• Assessment of FOs effect on the COP displacement can help to provide a better understanding of the body’s compensatory mechanisms and their therapeutic effects.

• There is no consistent evidence to prove the efficacy of FOs on CoP displacement in healthy subjects but in flat foot subjects foot orthoses decreased CoP excursion has been demonstrated.

• Arch support
• CoP displacement
• flat foot
• foot orthoses
• insole
• wedge

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.