Repeatability of the Pedar-X in-shoe pressure measuring system.

BACKGROUND The Pedar-X is one of the newer versions of in-shoe pressure measuring devices and the current study aimed to assess the repeatability of this device. METHODS Twenty-seven healthy male volunteers were recruited and requested to walk on a 26-feet walkway wearing appropriate sized standardised off-the-shelf neutral running shoes (Donnay International). The Pedar-X insole was sandwiched between the foot and the shoe. Data were collected on two occasions, one week apart. Clinically relevant parameters studied were contact area, contact time in percentage roll over process, maximum force, pressure-time integral, force-time integral, peak pressure, mean force and mean area. RESULTS Repeatability was analysed using the coefficient of variation. Of the 160 parameters considered, 93.1% revealed a coefficient of variation value of less than 25. Heel and the metatarsal head areas were the most repeatable. CONCLUSION The Pedar-X in-shoe pressure measuring system is repeatable and as such can be used as a valuable tool in the assessment of in-shoe plantar pressure distribution.