Sensory shoe insoles to improve balance in people with multiple sclerosis

Problems with balance can be a significant issue for some people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Poor balance makes it harder to do everyday activities, such as socialising, working, hobbies, or staying active. It is also closely linked to a high risk of injury from falls.

Many factors can cause balance problems in MS, including changes to the sense of feeling (sensation) in the feet and how the leg muscles work. Most people with MS do not receive treatment for their foot sensation problems and there are few options available.

Associate Professor Anna Hatton and her team have partnered with experts in medical technology to design sensory shoe insoles that provide extra sensation to the feet, aiming to improve balance. The team has talked to people with MS in the United Kingdom and Australia – exploring their foot health concerns, balance, and mobility issues – to guide insole development. They listened to feedback from people with MS who took part in the team’s earlier studies and used their ideas to improve the design of the insoles to better meet their needs.

Associate Professor Hatton aims to find out if these sensory insoles can help improve balance compared to standard insoles. She and her team will assess how people with MS perform balance tasks that copy situations where falls are more likely. The team will record nerve and muscle activity in people’s legs after they have worn the insoles for four weeks. They will talk to study participants about their experience wearing the insoles and listen to their recommendations to make sure the insoles are practical and easy to use.

The ultimate goal is to use insole technology to improve balance enough to reduce the risk of falls. The team will work together with people with MS to create a research plan to explore this in a future study.