Formulated Composite Insoles Reduce Foot Pain and Fatigue and Increase Working Efficiency in Healthcare Workers: A Pilot Non-controlled Experimental Study

Aim: The aim was to evaluate self-assessed foot health status and working efficiency of healthcare workers when using composite insoles to treat foot problems.
Introduction: Foot pain and fatigue are two of the most common problems facing healthcare workers owing to many hours of walking and standing per day. Many choices of conservative treatment are available such as the use of insoles and orthotic support. Commercially prefabricated insoles are one of the most widely used treatments for foot pain and fatigue as they are easily accessible at reasonable prices. However, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments.
Methodology: Test subjects included 49 volunteers from Tung Song Hospital screened by an orthopedist and physical therapist to meet predetermined criteria. Data collected included demographic data, validated foot function score of a Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), and a synthetic working efficiency score generated using the Thai Questionnaire of Working Efficiency for Healthcare workers. A self-evaluation form was designed to record the efficacy of using Smile feet™ insoles before and after one month of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results: Responses to the Foot Heath Status Questionnaire showed a statistically significant change in several foot health metrics (p-value < 0.01) after using the composite insoles for 1 month: Improvement greater than the minimal important difference was achieved by 75.5% in foot pain, 44.9% in foot function, 89.8% in foot wear, and a 57.1% in general foot health. Respondents to the Thai Working Efficiency questionnaire reported improvement in sections of working, reducing muscle soreness and fatigue in 30 of the 49 volunteers (61.2%). Among those that experienced improvement, [self-reported] work productivity increased by 73%.
Conclusion: Healthcare workers reported improvements after using a commercially available composite insole in all criteria on a self assessment questionnaire, including muscle soreness, working efficiency, work productivity, fatigue, foot pain, foot function, foot wear, and general foot health.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.