Review finds evidence lacking for insoles in treatment prevention of LBP

Researchers found in a review of 11 trials of shoe insoles or foot orthoses there is insufficient evidence to support that them as effective treatment or a prevention measure for low back pain. “The small number, moderate methodological quality and the high heterogeneity of the available trials reduce the strength of current findings. At risk populations should be targeted in future trials examining LBP [low back pain] prevention,” Vivienne Chuter and colleagues wrote in the study.

The investigators identified in their systematic search of the literature six trials for the prevention of LBP (2,379 participants) and five trials for the treatment of LBP (293 participants) that sought to determine the effectiveness of foot insoles or orthoses.

“No statistically significant effect for the use of insoles or foot orthoses is seen for either prevention trials or treatment trials,” they wrote.

While the results were trending in positive outcomes for the participants in the LBP treatment trials, Chuter and colleagues noted that only two of the 11 trials had statistically significant results.

The trial with the most positive effect was in individuals with a pronated foot posture who used insoles or orthoses as treatment and a fairly positive trial, they noted, involved the use of insoles or orthoses for LBP prevention.

“Future research for LBP treatment should concentrate on variables from the patient history, physical examination or simple diagnostic tests that may assist in classification of LBP patients most suited to a foot orthoses or insole intervention, as there is some evidence that trials structured along these lines have a greater effect on reducing LBP,” Chuter and colleagues wrote.

Disclosure: The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Chuter V. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2014;doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-140.