Table 2.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

• studies that evaluated the effects of flat insoles constructed from different materials on plantar pressures;

• studies published in English;

• studies that compared to a control (shoe alone) condition;

• studies that used ‘in-shoe’ testing apparatus.

Exclusion criteria:

• studies conducted on animals (non-humans);

• studies that evaluated cadavers;

• studies conducted on children (aged under 18 years);

• studies that evaluated the effects of taping, padding, splinting, bracing, casting, contoured foot orthoses or insoles, or orthopaedic devices defined as other than flat foot orthoses or insoles;

• studies of activities other than walking;

• studies where participants had systemic, neurological or inflammatory arthritic pathologies such as diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis;

• studies that were not peer-reviewed, scholarly publications of experimental or quasi-experimental research.