Nirmeen M Hassan, Nora Shields, Karl B Landorf, Andrew K Buldt, Nicholas F Taylor, Angela M Evans, Cylie M Williams, Hylton B Menz, Shannon E Munteanu
PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised trial to evaluate the efficacy of custom-fitted footwear for increasing physical activity in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. METHODS: Assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomised pilot study. Thirty-three children and adolescents with Down syndrome were randomly allocated to a custom-fitted footwear group (Clarks® footwear) or a wait-list control group. Six feasibility domains were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks; demand (recruitment), implementation (co-interventions and adherence), acceptability, practicality (adverse events), limited efficacy testing (physical activity, disability associated with foot and ankle problems, and gait parameters), and adaptation (shoe-fit)...
July 2021: Disability and Rehabilitation