The long-term effects of textured shoe insoles on balance, walking ability and function in people with multiple sclerosis

ISRCTN ISRCTN85766784
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN85766784
Secondary identifying numbers 972/12
Submission date
20/03/2014
Registration date
07/04/2014
Last edited
17/02/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Impairments of gait and balance are common symptoms of MS and cause significant reduction of independence and quality of life. Gait and balance are impaired as a result of several of the primary symptoms of MS, one of which is peripheral sensory loss. MS patients can develop reduced sensation in the soles of their feet as a result. Sensation in the soles of the feet has been shown to be important in the control of gait and balance so its loss contributes to the development of gait and balance impairments. Wearing textured insoles in shoes is a method of increasing stimulation of the soles of the feet. Textured insoles have been found to improve the gait and balance of elderly people who also have reduced sensation in their feet. initial studies over short periods of time have shown that MS patients may also benefit from wearing textured insoles. A larger study is now needed to give more evidence and show how insoles can help. The aim of this study is to investigate whether textured insoles improve the walking ability of people with MS when they are worn for a period of three months and to find out how acceptable textured insoles are to them.

Who can participate?
People aged between 18 and 65 with a clinical diagnosis of MS and the ability to walk independently for 100 metres with or without a unilateral walking aid.

What does the study involve?
Participants are invited to attend sessions at the Teesside Centre for Rehabilitation Science in James Cook University Hospital (UK). Their gait characteristics and balance control are tested. They are asked to complete some questionnaires about how they regard their health and how their symptoms impact on their lives. Before taking part in the study, the sensitivity of each participant’s foot sole is tested -– if this is too low they are not able to take part. Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups: textured insole group, smooth insole group or control group (no insole). They are asked to wear the insole during their normal daily activities for three months, after which the testing procedure is repeated in all three groups. At the end of the study, participants are invited to take part in focus groups to share their experience of wearing the insoles. Focus groups are not compulsory.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Taking part is necessarily beneficial, but textured insoles of this type have been shown to help people with MS in an initial study so there may be some benefit to gait and balance. There is a small risk of falls during the gait and balance testing. To prevent falls, bars and handles are present for support should participants require it and the chief investigator, a qualified physiotherapist, is beside participants all of the time. Participants are able to rest between tests. There is also a possibility that some participants may find the insoles uncomfortable. Participants are advised to contact the chief investigator if this is the case and to stop wearing the insoles if they find them too uncomfortable. The team supervising the study and the clinicians responsible for participants’ care feel that the risks are minimal.

Where is the study run from?
Teesside Centre for Rehabilitation Science, Teesside University in James Cook University Hospital, Middlesborough (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run?
April 2014 –to May 2016

Who is funding the study?
Multiple Sclerosis Society (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Yael Jenny Baron
j.baron@tees.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Yael Jennifer Baron
Scientific

School of Health and Social Care
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom

Email j.baron@tees.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle-blinded exploratory randomised controlled trial with three arms
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleThe long-term effects of textured shoe insoles on balance, walking ability and function in people with multiple sclerosis: an exploratory randomised controlled trial
Study objectivesIt is hypothesised that wearing textured insoles will improve the gait and balance of people with MS due to the increase in sensory stimulation to the soles of their feet. The null hypothesis is that textured insoles will make no difference to gait and balance ability compared to baseline measures.
Ethics approval(s)1. Teesside University School of Health & Social Care Research Governance and Ethics Committee, 17/03/2014, ref: 181/13
2. North East–Newcastle and North Tyneside 2 National Research Ethics Service Research Ethics Committee, 20/03/2014, ref: 14/NE/0043
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMultiple sclerosis
InterventionPatients are randomised to three arms:
1. Intervention -– textured insoles (Evalite Pyramid EVA 3mm thickness, Algeos Ltd.)
2. Control -– smooth insole (medium density EVA, 3mm thickness, Algeos Ltd.)
3. Control –- no insole
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Spatio­-temporal parameters of gait, recorded by an electronic GAITRite mat
2. Standing balance during quiet bipedal stance, recorded by a Kistler (TM) force plate
3. Functional mobility, measured by the timed-­up­-and­-go test
4. Qualitative information regarding acceptability and comfort of the insole interventions, gathered in semi-structured interviews and focus groups at the end of the study
Secondary outcome measures1. Self-reported health, measured using the EQ-5D-5L
2. Self-reported fatigue, measured using the modified fatigue impact scale
3. Self-reported pain level, measured using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) pain effects scale
4. Self-reported cognitive deficits, measured using the perceived deficits questionnaire
5. Self-reported fear of falling, measured using the falls efficacy scale International
6. Self-reported walking ability, measured using the MS Walking Scale (MSWS­12)
Overall study start date01/04/2014
Completion date06/05/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants90
Key inclusion criteria1. Be aged between 18 and 65
2. Have a clinical diagnosis of MS
3. Be able to walk 100m independently, with or without a unilateral walking aid
Key exclusion criteria1. Current acute exacerbation and/or relapse of symptoms within the last three months
2. Diagnoses of any other condition affecting the central nervous system, for example Parkinson’s Disease
3. Any musculoskeletal injury or condition for which a health professional has advised the person to refrain from undertaking moderate physical activity
4. Inability to give informed consent
5. Inability to read or speak English
6. Inability to feel the textured insoles (foot sole sensitivity tested using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments to exclude people with peripheral neuropathy)
7. Current use of textured insoles or shoes with textured insoles
Date of first enrolment01/04/2014
Date of final enrolment31/12/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Teesside University
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Teesside University (UK)
University/education

c/o Professor Paul Keane
School of Health and Social Care
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03z28gk75

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Multiple Sclerosis Society - grant reference 972/12
Private sector organisation / Associations and societies (private and public)
Alternative name(s)
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The MS Society, MS Society UK, Multiple Sclerosis Society UK, MS Society
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planDissemination at:
1. ER-WCPT 4th European Congress, Liverpool, UK November 2016: Long-term effect of textured insoles on gait and balance in people with Multiple Sclerosis: an exploratory randomised controlled trial (Y. J. Baron, A. Hatton, J. Robinson, D. Hodgson, P. O. McKeon, K. Rome, D. Martin, J. Dixon)
2. Participant perception of the effect of textured insoles on balance and gait in people with Multiple Sclerosis (Y. J. Baron, A. Hatton, J. Robinson, D. Hodgson, P. O. McKeon, K. Rome, D. Martin, J. Dixon)

Work also published at:
1. Y.J. Baron, A. Hatton, J. Robinson, D. Hodgson, P. McKeon, K. Rome, D. Martin, J. Dixon, Long-term effect of textured insoles on gait and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: an exploratory randomised controlled trial, Physiotherapy, 102 (Suppl 1) 2016; p. e57
2. Y. Baron, A. Hatton, J. Robinson, D. Hodgson, P. McKeon, K. Rome, D. Martin, J. Dixon, Participant perception of the effect of textured insoles on balance and gait in people with multiple sclerosis, Physiotherapy, 102 (Suppl 1) 2016; p. e58-e59

Dissemination event:
Multiple Sclerosis research dissemination event: improving balance in people with multiple sclerosis,
The Curve, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA
Thursday 30th March, 10.30-12.00 http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/whats_on/events_details.cfm?event_id=9057
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Yael Jennifer Baron (yael.baron@nuth.nhs.uk)

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

17/02/2017: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/03/2015 to 06/05/2016.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/03/2015 to 31/12/2015.