New study a step forward for children’s footwear

Experts hope standardised terminology for “therapeutic footwear” will improve treatment for children with walking difficulties across the globe

The new study could help children with mobility issues around the world

This study has achieved an expert consensus where none previously existed, which is important from both a manufacturing and clinical perspective. This is a huge step forward which we hope will lead to quicker, more personalised and more effective treatment for children with mobility issues.

Dr Aoife Healy, Associate Professor of Human Movement Biomechanics

In a new study, scientists from Staffordshire University’s Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies have established recognised terms, definitions, design characteristics and prescription criteria for off-the-shelf stability footwear for the first time.

Nachi Chockalingam, Professor of Clinical Biomechanics, explained: “Specialist footwear is often prescribed to help children with a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, pes planus, toe walking, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, Down’s syndrome and intoeing. However, despite its widespread use there is a lack of common understanding of how to define and characterise this intervention.

“Numerous terms have been used in the literature concerning clinical footwear interventions, including orthopaedic shoes, rehabilitative boots, modified shoes, supportive shoes and special shoes. There is also no standardised set of agreed outcome measures, both physical and psychosocial, to ascertain the effectiveness of this footwear.”

A group of multinational professionals, from clinicians to those involved in the footwear industry, were recruited to take part in an online survey and to provide further insights through a series of open-ended questions.

“Therapeutic footwear” was the agreed term to represent children’s footwear interventions, with grouping and subgrouping of therapeutic footwear being dependent on their intended clinical outcomes: accommodative, corrective or functional. Design characteristics of off-the-shelf footwear were also grouped under three themes: stability, ergonomics and aesthetics.

This is believed to have many benefits including:

  • A common understanding of therapeutic footwear terminology to facilitate communication between clinicians, researchers and manufacturers.
  • Research-informed evidence for selection of appropriate off-the-shelf stability therapeutic footwear based on identified design characteristics.
  • Research-informed evidence for dispensing off-the-shelf stability therapeutic footwear to patients.
  • Standardised outcome measures for clinical assessment of the effectiveness of off-the-shelf stability therapeutic footwear interventions.

Dr Aoife Healy, Associate Professor of Human Movement Biomechanics, said: “The development of recognised terms, definitions and characteristics afford an understanding of how therapeutic footwear should work, the value it should provide, who should benefit, how to measure its success, what risks are present and what is and is not included within the intervention.

“This study has achieved an expert consensus where none previously existed, which is important from both a manufacturing and clinical perspective. This is a huge step forward which we hope will lead to quicker, more personalised and more effective treatment for children with mobility issues.”

Read the full paper published in BMJ Open – Defining and grouping children’s therapeutic footwear and criteria for their prescription: an international expert Delphi consensus study

Latest news


Cllr Abi Brown OBE in her honorary doctorate cap and gown

From politics student to council leader – and now honorary graduate

A trailblazing politician has “come home” to University of Staffordshire to receive an honorary degree – exactly 25 years after first graduating

Mohammed Ramzan in his honorary doctor hat and gown

Community champion becomes honorary doctor

An educational leader and community ambassador has received University of Staffordshire’s highest honour

Nathan Heaney in his honorary doctor cap and gown

Boxing star’s fighting spirit recognised with honorary degree

Stoke-on-Trent boxer Nathan Heaney has become an honorary doctor of University of Staffordshire for his achievements both in and out of the ring

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021