Foot Strengthening for Balance and Gait Issues
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether different foot-strengthening strategies can improve foot strength, balance, walking ability, and fall-related outcomes in middle-aged and older adults (ages 45-85 years).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does foot strength change from baseline after an 8-week foot-strengthening intervention?
* Do balance, gait, and physical function improve following different foot-strengthening approaches?
Researchers will compare minimalist footwear use, a foot exercise program, a foot-strengthening device (ToePro), and no intervention to see if these interventions lead to greater improvements in foot strength, balance, gait, and fall-related outcomes than no intervention.
Participants will:
* Complete baseline and post-intervention laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait
* Perform foot strengthening exercises or wear minimalist footwear (if applicable) five days/week for eight weeks
* Complete daily logs to record intervention compliance
Who Is on the Research Team?
Allison H. Gruber, PhD
Principal Investigator
Indiana University, Bloomington
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for healthy adults aged 45-85 who can walk without help and have not had foot or ankle surgery. They should not be regular users of minimalist footwear, have a BMI of 40 or less, and no foot issues that would make the study's activities unsafe for them.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete baseline laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait
Intervention
Participants perform foot strengthening exercises or wear minimalist footwear five days/week for eight weeks
Post-Intervention Assessment
Participants complete post-intervention laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait
Follow-up
A follow-up questionnaire assessing physical activity, footwear use, foot health, and falls is administered
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Foot strengthening exercises
- Minimalist footwear
- ToePro
Trial Overview
The trial tests if different ways to strengthen feet—using a ToePro device, wearing minimalist shoes, doing exercises, or no treatment at all—can improve balance, walking ability, and reduce falls over an eight-week period.
How Is the Trial Designed?
4
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants are instructed to wear minimalist footwear during activities of daily living for 8 weeks, progressively increasing wear time according to a standardized schedule.
Participants complete a prescribed foot and ankle strengthening exercise program targeting intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles over an 8-week period.
Participants do not receive any foot-strengthening intervention and continue usual activities.
Participants use a commercially available foot-strengthening device (ToePro) for a prescribed exercise protocol over 8 weeks.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Indiana University
Lead Sponsor
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