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Objective: Adherence is a prerequisite for the effectiveness of orthopaedic footwear. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of a new temperature sensor for objective assessment of footwear use and non-use.Design: Observational study.Methods: The validity of a temperature sensor (Orthotimer, Balingen, Germany) to discriminate between time periods of use and non-use of footwear over a period of 48 h was assessed using 3 algorithms, in 10 healthy participants (mean age 32.8 years (standard deviation (SD) 14.1 years)). Footwear use measured with the sensor was compared with a reference standard, footwear use measured with a time-lapse sports camera secured to the shoe. Main outcome measure: Hours of footwear use.Results: Mean footwear use measured with the camera was 8.10 (SD 2.46) h per day. Mean footwear uses measured with the sensor and calculated with the 3 algorithms were 8.16 (SD 2.37), 8.86 (SD 2.48) and 4.91 (SD 3.17) h per day for the Groningen algorithm, algorithm-25, and algorithm-29, respectively. The correlation between footwear use assessed with the camera and with the sensor was: r(Groningen) = 0.995, r(alg25) = 0.919 and r(alg29) = 0.680).Conclusion: The temperature sensor is a valid instrument to measure footwear use and non-use when using the Groningen algorithm.

Objective:To develop it short and easy to use questionnaire to measure use and usability of custom-made orthopaedic shoes, and to investigate its reproducibility.Design: Development of the questionnaire (Monitor Orthopaedic Shoes) was based on a literature search. expert interviews. 2 expert meetings, and exploration and testing of reproducibility. The questionnaire comprises 2 parts: a pre part. measuring expectations; and a post part., measuring experiences.Patients: The pre part of the final version was completed twice by 37 first-time users before delivery of their orthopaedic shoes. The post part of the final version was completed twice by 39 first-time users who had worn their orthopaedic shoes for 2-4, months.Results: High reproducibility scores (Cohen's kappa >0.60 or intra class correlation >0.70) were found in all but one question of both parts of the final version of the Monitor Orthopaedic Shoes questionnaire. The smallest real difference on a visual analogue scale (100 turn) ranged front 21 to 50 mm. It took patients approximately 15 min to complete one Part.Conclusion: Monitor Orthopaedic Shoes is a practical and reproducible questionnaire that can measure relevant aspects of use and usability of orthopaedic shoes from it patients perspective.