St Mary’s University and ZOLES, use IBV technology for a trial on the effectiveness of custom 3D printed insoles on perceived pain, comfort and completion time among frequent Park Runners

The article titled “The effectiveness of customised 3D-printed insoles on running biomechanics and injury prevention: A randomised controlled trial” (ZOLES RCT) explores the impact of personalized 3D-printed insoles on frequent runners, particularly focusing on their efficacy in reducing pain and improving running performance. The study has been developed by St. Mary’s University in collaboration with Zoles, using the foot scanning technology of the Institute of Biomechanics, DomeScan/IBV.

The study involved 200 recreational runners aged 35 and over, who were randomly assigned to receive either the custom 3D-printed insoles or a standard “do-as-usual” control intervention. The trial was designed to be pragmatic and outcome assessor blinded. The primary outcome measured was the change in running-related pain over a 10-week period using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included overall pain and discomfort, running-related comfort, completion times for a 5k run, injury-related time loss, running exposure, and adherence to the intervention.

The trial also included a 52-week post-market surveillance to evaluate the long-term effects of the insoles. The customized insoles were produced using a detailed foot-scanning process and responses to a set of questions regarding size, pain, and previous medical conditions. This personalization aimed to provide a more precise correction of foot biomechanics, potentially leading to better pain management and improved running experience.

The results of this trial are expected to provide significant insights into the real-world applicability and effectiveness of custom 3D-printed insoles, potentially influencing future practices in running injury prevention and enhancing the overall running experience for athletes.

Find out all the details of this trial in this article: The effectiveness of customised 3D-printed insoles on perceived pain, comfort, and completion time among frequent Park Runners: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (The ZOLES RCT) – ScienceDirect