Riassunto dello studio

Ninety-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the foot were randomized to receive a foot orthoses (n=48) or no treatment (n=46). The outcomes of interest included the Foot Function Index (pain; disability; activity limitation; total score), the Berg Balance Scale, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. Outcomes were assessed after 4 weeks of treatment. Results demonstrated statistically favourable Foot Function Index pain, activity limitation and total scores in the orthoses group compared to the control group. Whilst no statistical differences in Berg Balance score, TUG test and Foot Function index disability scores were found between groups, the orthoses group reported a significant improvement from baseline in all outcomes, whilst no improvement was observed in the control group in all outcomes.