Effects of Arch Support Insoles on Single- and Dual-Task Gait Performance Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Hsien-Te Peng,1 Chueh-Ho Lin,2,3 Yu-Chi Kuo,4 Chen-Yi Song5 1Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Master Program in Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Center for Nursing and Healthcare Research in Clinical Practice Application, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Department of Long-Term Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Chen-Yi SongDepartment of Long-Term Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, 365 Ming-Te Road, Taipei 11219, TaiwanTel +886 2 28227101 Ext 6136Fax +886 2 23891464Email cysong@ntunhs.edu.twPurpose: To explore the immediate and prolonged effects of arch support insoles on single- and dual-task gait performance among community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Twenty women performed single- and dual-task walking for 10 m at self-selected comfortable and fast paces while performing serial subtractions (cognitive interference) or carrying a tray (motor interference). Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured and compared with measurements without arch support immediately after the insertion of the insoles and at 1-week follow-up.Results: Some effects were noted, with small-to-medium effect sizes. During comfortable-paced single-task walking, stride length and walk ratio (step length/cadence) increased after arch support use. During comfortable-paced motor dual-task walking, arch support use increased cadence, stride length, and speed and decreased dual-task costs (DTCs) on cadence and speed. During fast-paced motor dual-task walking, cadence increased and the DTC on cadence decreased after arch support use at the 1-week follow-up. During comfortable-paced cognitive dual-task walking, cadence increased and the walk ratio decreased following arch support use. At the 1-week follow-up, DTCs on cadence reduced, but those on stride length and speed increased. During fast-paced cognitive dual-task walking, the speed and stride length demonstrated immediate decreases followed by increases at the 1-week follow-up.Conclusion: The study results indicate that the use of arch support improves single- and motor dual-task gait performance, which may contribute to gait and balance training in older adults.Keywords: gait, dual-task, insole, elderly