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Table 2 Characteristics of included studies, participants, podometric measurements, and foot type classification

From: Footprint measurement methods for the assessment and classification of foot types in subjects with Down syndrome: a systematic review

Author, date

Sample size (N)

Females/males

Age [mean (SD) in years]

Participants

Study aim

Footprint instrument(s)

Measurements

Static/dynamic protocol

Footprint type classification

Concolino etal., 2006 [7]

C, 100

DS, 50

C, 68/32

DS, 31/19

C, 4.8 (range 3–8)

DS, 5.6 (range 4–8)

C: children without DS

DS: children with DS

To verify the importance of podiatric evaluation in patients with DS for early diagnosis and of minor orthopedic problems

Podoscope (polarized light)

Electronic baropodometer (4800 active sensors over 120 cm)

N.S.

Both

Bony deformity of the forefoot, flat foot, isolated calcaneal valgus, knee valgus, and pronated flat foot

Galli etal., 2014 [10]

C, 15

DS, 29

N.S.

C, 9.2 (5.7)

DS, 9.8 (2.3)

C: children without DS

DS: children with DS

To quantitatively assess the relationship between the flat foot and the gait alterations in DS children

Pressure-sensitive mat (2016 sensing elements in a 42 × 48 matrix)

Matlab® software

Arch Index

Static (barefoot, standing on the mat for 5s)

Flat foot

Galli etal., 2014 [11]

C, 15

DS, 55

N.S.

C, 9.2 (5.7)

DS, 9.6 (1.7)

C: children without DS

DS: children with DS

To determine if DS children with the flat foot are characterized by an accentuated external foot rotation during walking

Pressure-sensitive mat (2016 sensing elements in a 42 × 48 matrix)

Matlab® software

Arch Index

Static (barefoot, standing on the mat for 5s)

Flat foot

Galli etal., 2016 [12]

HC, 19

HT, 13

HA, 14

DS, 13

N.S.

HC, 10.10 (1.93)

HT, 13.96 (1.14)

HA, 37.30 (7.42)

DSC, 10.42 (2.46)

DST, 17.20 (1.62)

DSA: 27.90 (3.69)

HC, HT, HA: subjects without DS

DS: subjects with DS (time range of 17 yr)

To quantify foot abnormalities in individuals with DS while standing, in terms of foot-ground interaction parameters from childhood to adulthood

Pressure-sensitive mat (2016 sensing elements in a 42 × 48 matrix)

Matlab® software

Arch Index

Static (barefoot, standing on the mat for 5s)

Flat foot, contact pressure

Gutiérrez-Vilahú etal., 2015 [13]

C, 21

DS, 22

C, 10/11

DS, 11/11

C: M 20.45 (2.16); F 20 (1.70)

DS: M 23.82 (3.12); F 24.82 (6.81)

C: subjects without DS

DS: subjects with DS

To analyze, measure, and classify footprints on the basis of gold standard podiatric indices in young people with DS

Optical podoscope (chromed, direct 220 V light, 60 × 45 × 33)

Digital camera

Hernández-Corvo Index

Chippaux-Smirak Index

Staheli Index

Clarke Angle

Static (barefoot, standing, and lower limbs in parallel)

Flat foot, pronated foot, cavus foot

Gutiérrez-Vilahú etal., 2016 [6]

22

11/11

M 23.82 (3.12); F 24.82 (6.81)

Special school students with DS

To assess the reliability and validity of a footprint assessment technique in the population with DS

Optical podoscope (chromed, direct 220 V light, 60 × 45 × 33)

Digital camera

Photoshop CS5 software

Hernández-Corvo Index

Chippaux-Smirak Index

Staheli Index

Clarke Angle

Static (barefoot, standing, and lower limbs in parallel)

N.S.

Hassan etal., 2020 [14]

30

18/12

10.6 (3.9)

Children and adolescents with DS

To determine the reproducibility of measuring foot dimensions of children and adolescents with DS using 3D scanning

FotoScan 3D scanner

3D-Tool© software version 13

Arch Index

Static (standing in a relaxed, full weight-bearing position)

Forefoot shape

Lim etal., 2015 [15]

50

28/14

10.6 (3.9)

Children and adolescents with DS

To determine if there is an association between flat feet, hallux valgus, and footwear-fitting problems with foot-specific disability in children and adolescents with DS

PressureStatTM carbon paper

Image analysis software Scion®

Arch Index

Static (standing relaxed)

Flat feet, hallux valgus, toe deformities

Mansour etal., 2017 [5]

C, 53

DS, 55

C, 26/27

DS, 19/36

C, 13.5 (11.2)

DS, 14.6 (7.4)

C: asymptomatic subjects

DS: patients with DS

To investigate the prevalence of foot deformities in patients with DS

Podoscope

N.S.

Static (standing)

Hallux valgus, syndactyly, grade II and grade III pes planus, joint laxity

Pau etal., 2012 [16]

C, 99

DS, 99

N.S.

C, 9.5 (1.6)

DS, 9.7 (1.7)

C: children without DS

DS: children with DS

To quantitatively characterize the main foot-ground contact parameters to assess foot evolution with age in young individuals with DS

Pressure-sensitive mat (2016 sensing elements in a 42 × 48 matrix)

Matlab® software

Arch Index

Static (barefoot, standing on the mat for 5s)

Flat foot, contact pressure

Shields etal., 2017 [17]

50

22/28

10.6 (3.9)

Children and adolescents with DS

To investigate the relationship between foot structure, footwear fit, and levels of physical activity in children and adolescents with DS

PressureStatTM carbon paper

Image analysis software Scion®

Arch Index

Static (standing relaxed)

Flat foot, footwear

  1. Abbreviations: C, control; DS, Down syndrome; DSC, Down syndrome children; DST, Down syndrome teenagers; DSA, Down syndrome adults; F, females; HC, healthy controls; HT, healthy teenagers; HA, healthy adults; N, number of participants; N.S., not stated; M, males; SD, standard deviation