The effect of toe-only rocker sole shoes on gait variability of the elderly

Gait variability could associate with fall risk in older people. Rocker sole shoes are commonly prescribed to reduce plantar pressure and facilitate forward movement. Thus, it may affect gait stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of toe-only rocker shoes on gait variability in the elderly. Seventeen healthy elderly participants walked on a treadmill under six different conditions including barefoot (BF), normal shoe (NS), and four types of toe-only rocker sole shoes with various degrees of rocker angle (RS10, RS20, RS30, and RS40). Then the step length variability (SLV), the step time variability (STV), the step width variability (SWV), and the stance time variability were measured. Increasing rocker angle in toe-only rocker did not significantly affect gait variability more than the standard shoe. It seems that different rocker angles in toe-only rocker sole shoes do not pose a threat to gait variability compared to the standard shoes in healthy elderly. Findings of the study suggested that the toe-only rocker sole can be used to facilitate forward progression in the elderly. Further investigation is also required to examine the long-term effects of toe-only rocker sole shoes on gait variability in frail elderly.