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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07140861

Effect of Core Stability Exercises in Individuals With Bilateral Flexible Flat Foot

There is a gap of literature about the role of core stability exercises on management of flexible flatfoot, as a result this study will take a deeper look on the effect of core stability exercises on navicular height, Arch height index, balance and disability function of ankle joint in individuals with bilateral flexible flat foot.

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Key information

Conditions

Flat Feet Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Flatfoot Foot Deformities Foot Deformities, Acquired Foot Deformities, Congenital Limb Deformities, Congenital Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital Musculoskeletal Abnormalities Musculoskeletal Diseases Talipes

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Physical Therapy faculty, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

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About this study

It was proved that Individuals with flexible flat foot have reduced core stability. Thus, core stability must be assessed while treating individuals with flexible flat foot and interventions that address core stability must be included in the treatment of flexible flat foot . It was demonstrated that there was a poorer balance in individual with bilateral flexible flat foot. Therefore, it is recommended to add balance training exercises to traditional physical therapy program in cases of flatfoot patients .

40 Participants of both genders with bilateral flexible flatfoot. will be assigned randomly into 2 equal groups: Group A (control group): will receive conventional therapy. Group B (Experimental group): will receive core training protocol and conventional therapy. Subjects will receive 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Outcome measures:

  • Navicular height: will be evaluated by navicular drop test.
  • Medial longitudinal arch height: will be evaluated by Arch height index (AHI).
  • Balance: will be evaluated by Biodex Balance System.
  • Disability function of ankle joint: will be evaluated by Arabic version of foot function index scale.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 40 Participants of both genders with bilateral flexible flatfoot.
  • Their age ranges from 18 to 39 years.
  • All Participants with a navicular drop (ND) greater than 10 mm.
  • Body mass index from 18.5-25 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

  • Traumatic condition of the lower limbs.
  • History of Fracture of the lower limbs.
  • previous orthopedic disorders or neurologic deficit of the lower limbs.
  • Previous surgery of the lower limbs.
  • Any sensory problems.
  • Leg length discrepancy.
  • Neuromuscular disease like multiple scelerosis.
  • Unilateral flexible flat foot.
  • Rigid flat foot.
  • Any lumbar spine problems

Treatment and study plan

Conventional

Other

patients will receive conventional therapy that include

  • Short foot exercises
  • Towel-curl exercise
  • Heel raise exercise
  • Calf stretch

Experimental

Other

Core stability exercises:

The training programs will last 6 weeks and comprise 3 training sessions per week. Each training session lasted 30 min, starting with a brief, standardized warm-up program mainly consisting of low-intensity core strength exercises to prepare the neuromuscular system for the training loads and ending with a cool-down program (i.e., dynamic stretching). During the main part of training, research group will conduct the "big 3" exercises as described by McGill (Mcgill, 2001). These include the curl-up, side bridge, and quadruped position. In other words, every single training session consisted of frontal, dorsal, and lateral core exercises. Training intensity will be progressed and individually increased over the 6-week training program by modulating lever lengths, movement velocity

Primary outcomes

  1. Navicular height

    Time frame: at enrollment and at the end of 6 weeks of treatment

  2. Balance

    Time frame: at enrollment and at the end of 6 weeks of treatment

    Dynamic balance will be assessed by Biodex system

Secondary outcomes

  1. Medial longitudinal arch height

    Time frame: at enrollment and at the end of 6 weeks of treatment

  2. Function of ankle joint

    Time frame: at enrollment and at the end of 6 weeks of treatment

    Function of ankle joint will be assessed by Arabic version of foot function index scale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Core Stability Exercises on Medial Longitudinal Arch Height and Balance in Individuals With Bilateral Flexible Flat Foot

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 26, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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