Key result
Low-cost tactile insoles reduce partial weight-bearing load error by ~11 kg versus standard physiotherapy.
Why the study?
Accurate partial weight-bearing is essential after lower limb surgery, but patients often fail to maintain load within clinically meaningful thresholds.
Does a low-cost tactile insole improve partial weight-bearing accuracy in inpatients after lower limb surgery?
RCT (n=34)
1:1 concealed allocation
No
Does a low-cost tactile insole improve partial weight-bearing accuracy in inpatients after lower limb surgery?
A low-cost tactile insole significantly improved partial weight-bearing accuracy within 14 days after lower limb surgery.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports incorporating low-cost tactile insoles into early postoperative physiotherapy; extends RCT evidence for simple biofeedback in weight-bearing training.
Background: Accurate partial weight-bearing (PWB) is essential for postoperative recovery after lower limb surgery, yet patients often fail to maintain load within clinically meaningful thresholds. Methods: In this pilot randomised controlled trial with 1:1 concealed allocation, 34 inpatients aged 18–85 who underwent femoral fracture fixation, hip arthroplasty, or knee arthroplasty were enrolled and followed for 14 days. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard physiotherapy or the same protocol with a low-cost tactile insole (“incentiviser”) that provides mechanical feedback when the prescribed 20% body weight (BW) load is exceeded. The primary outcome was absolute deviation from target load, with a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of ±2 kg. Results: In total, 88% of the intervention group achieved the MCID at discharge versus 24% of controls. The between-group difference in final load error was 10.8 kg (95% CI: −15.2 to −6.4), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.71). No significant differences were found in pain (NRS) or walking distance (6MWT) between groups. Conclusions: The tactile incentiviser significantly improved PWB accuracy within 14 days, meeting MCID thresholds in most cases. Its low cost and simplicity make it promising for routine or home-based use. Limitations include the small sample, diagnosis heterogeneity, and absence of a sham control. Larger multicentre trials are needed to confirm generalisability and long-term clinical impact.
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Manelli et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in Lower limb surgery (n=34). Low-cost tactile insole ('incentiviser') plus standard physiotherapy vs. Standard physiotherapy was evaluated on Absolute deviation from target load (MD -10.8 kg, 95% CI -15.2 to -6.4). A low-cost tactile insole significantly improved partial weight-bearing accuracy compared to standard physiotherapy, with a between-group difference in load error of 10.8 kg (95% CI: -15.2 to -6.4).
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