International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 225 Vol.6; Issue: 6; June 2016 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Original Research Article Effectiveness of Customized Foot Insoles in Nursing Staff with Mechanical Low Back Pain and Pronated Feet Shivangi Mehra 1 , Ranjeet Kumar 2 , Anjani Kumar Sinha 2 , Pooja Kumari 2 1 Student of Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 2 Assistant Professor, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Corresponding Author: Ranjeet Kumar Received: 25/04/2016 Revised: 18/05/2016 Accepted: 19/05/2016 ABSTRACT Background: Low back pain is third most common disorder and its prevalence among the nurses is slightly higher varying between 56% and 90%.The literature reflects how excessive pronation of the foot is linked to low back pain. Previous studies also states that individuals with low back pain have diminished postural balance. Therefore there was need to quantify the effects of customized foot insoles for low back pain and pronated feet. Aims and Objectives: The present study evaluates the effect of customised foot insoles on pain and balance among nursing staff with mechanical low back pain. Methodology: 30 nursing staff of age 30-55 years with mechanical low back pain and pronated feet participated in the study which was a pre-test post-test experimental study design. LBP was evaluated by a visual analog scale for pain and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Both static and dynamic balance was evaluated using unipedal stance and Star excursion balance test respectively. Pre-test data of pain and balance was recorded without intervention. Then the customized foot insoles were given to the subjects for the duration of 4 weeks and post-test data of pain and balance was collected. Results: A paired t-test was used to compare the difference in VAS, Oswestry LBP questionnaire and static & dynamic balance for pre-test and post-test. There was a significant difference in pain with (p<0.000) and improvement in both static balance and dynamic balance with (p<0.001). Conclusion: Customized foot insoles reduces pain and improves balance among nursing staff with mechanical low back pain and pronated feet therefore customized foot insoles can be prescribed for patients with mechanical low back pain and pronated feet. Key words: Mechanical low back pain, pronated feet, static balance, dynamic balance and customized foot insoles. INTRODUCTION Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common complaints in the society and has been identified as the most prevalent occupation-related problem in both high and low income countries. [1] About 60-80% of the general population suffers from LBP at some time during their lives. Among nurses the lifetime prevalence is higher, varying between 56% and 90%. [2] LBP is associated with heavy manual occupations and jobs requiring manual material handling, frequent bending/twisting, static work posture. [3] The high rate of back disorders in nurses is associated with heavy physical workload, particularly in lifting and moving patients, and with adverse postures resulting in substantial cost to employing hospitals in terms of lost efficiency, lost time, wasted training, and claims. [1, 3,4]