Efficacy of Foot Orthoses With Sensorimotor Bars on Gait, Postural Control, and Muscle Activity in Healthy Individuals and Those With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran., Khaliliyan Hanieh , Bahramizadeh Mahmood ,   Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Khaghani Alireza ,   Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Rehabilitation Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Mohajeri Shahla ,   Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Chirico Francesco ,   Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy., Batra Kavita ,   Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States., Szarpak Lukasz ,   Department of Clinical Research and Development, LUXMED Group, Warsaw, Poland., Ansari Majid ,   Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States., Afolabi Aanuoluwapo ,   University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria., Ilesanmi Olayinka ,   Plus-Circle Community Health Advancement Organization, Abuja, Nigeria., Nucera Gabriella ,   Department of Emergency, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli and Sacco, Milan, Italy., Khabbache Hicham ,   Laboratory of Morocco: History, Theology, and Languages, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès.Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Ghaffari Farhad ,   Department of Orthopedic, Khatam. Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran., Sharafatvaziri Arash ,   Center for Orthopedic Trans-Disciplinary Applied Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Taghi Karimi Mohammad ,   Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Published: November 2024

Objectives: The foot and ankle complex is crucial in stability, propulsion, and musculoskeletal interactions. Optimizing orthotic interventions in this anatomical region is essential to improve motor outcomes. This systematic review investigates the impact of foot orthoses (FOs) with sensorimotor bars on gait, postural control, and muscle activity in healthy individuals and those with musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We conducted an electronic search in January 2024 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The article identification, screening, and selection followed the PISMA (the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. We conducted the quality assessment using the PEDro (the physiotherapy evidence database) checklist. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using the Cochrane handbook for systematic review of interventions. Results: FOs with sensorimotor bars can increase foot external rotation, dorsiflexion, and abduction while decreasing foot eversion. Additionally, they can reduce anteroposterior displacement of the hip, shoulder, and head. Furthermore, significant improvements have been observed in spatiotemporal parameters such as walking speed, stride length, stance time, swing time, and kinetic parameters such as plantar pressure. These orthoses can also impact clinical tasks and decrease center-of-pressure movements. Discussion: Sensorimotor bars have demonstrated beneficial effects on gait (kinematic, kinetic, and spatial-temporal measures), balance control (clinical performance and center of pressure displacement measures), and muscle activity recording.