Evaluation of the Effects of two types of foot rockers on the performance of diabetic subjects with emphasized on the Temporal-spatial gait parameters and kinematic parameters

Foot ulcer has been reported as one of the main challenges of diabetic patient. Rocker shoes mostly are recommended for foot ulcer management. Based on the available literature it is controversial whether the Temporal-spatial gait parameters and joint kinematic differs in diabetic subjects or not. Moreover, it is not well understood which kind of rocker is more effectiveness. Therefore the aims of this research were to answer to the above mentioned questions.
This was an Interventional-quasi experimental study, in which 20 normal individuals and 20 subjects with diabetic foot were recruited. A Qualysis motion analysis system, were used to record the Temporal-spatial gait parameters and kinematic parameters during walking. The difference between the mean values of the parameters and the between subject effects were evaluated by use of variance analysis with repeated measure test. The statistical analysis was done by use of SPSS17.
The results of this study showed no difference between the Temporal-spatial and range of motions of ankle, knee and hip joints in both groups while walking with toe rocker and heel rocker. There was also no difference between normal and diabetic subjects regarding the aforementioned parameters (P-value>0.05).
The results confirm no difference between normal and diabetic subjects regarding walking with aforementioned rockers. Therefore, it is recommended that these rockers can be used to manage the forces applied on foot without any difference between the influences on range of motions of the lower limb joints.