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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06548750

Foot Muscle Strengthening Exercises for Pes Planovalgus

Pes planovalgus is a common foot condition affecting the child population. It is characterized by the partial or complete collapse of the medial longitudinal arch with rearfoot eversion and forefoot abduction, which is associated with changes in lower extremity kinematics during dynamic activity.

The lower extremity chain includes the foot, ankle, knee, and hip joints, with the feet acting as the base of support. However, due to their small size, maintaining balance can be challenging. Any small dynamic change in the foot, as the support base, can impact overall body posture. The foot arch, which can be pronated or supinated, affects proprioceptive input by altering joint movement, contact area, and muscle strategy for stability. Pes planovalgus, characterized by excessive subtalar pronation, lead to instability and hypermobility, requiring more neuromuscular control to maintain balance. As a result, flat feet can cause pathomechanical issues and compensatory actions in the lower extremity chain, affecting overall body balance.

The effectiveness of exercise interventions, particularly foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises, in increasing the medial longitudinal arch in individuals with pes planus has been investigated in numerous studies. It is widely accepted that both intrinsic and extrinsic muscle groups play a crucial role in the formation, maintenance, and enhancement of foot arches. However, there is a lack of studies specifically examining the effectiveness of exercises aimed at strengthening these muscles in children with pes planovalgus. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two corrective exercise programs focused on the improvement of the medial longitudinal arch in children with pes planovalgus: one incorporating routine intrinsic muscle exercises and the other combining them with extrinsic muscle exercises.

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Key information

Conditions

Pes Planus 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

4 year–7 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bezmialem Vakif University

Istanbul, 34093, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Voluntary children who have been diagnosed with pes planovalgus will be included in the study. Signed voluntary consent will be obtained from caregivers. Participants will be divided into two groups. Study groups will be as follows: a) Intervention Group (Intrinsic&Extrinsic Exercise), b) Control Group (Intrinsic Exercise).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Presence of bilateral pes planovalgus,
  • Being between 4-7 years of age,
  • Having a body mass index within normal limits

Exclusion criteria

  • Having high femoral anteversion, internal tibial torsion and metatarsus adductus
  • Having leg length inequality
  • Having any neurological, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, metabolic and connective tissue disease
  • Having a history of pain, deformity or surgery related to the vertebral column and lower extremities
  • Having a cognitive, mental or serious psychiatric disease
  • Having been involved in any exercise program or sports activity in the last six months

Treatment and study plan

Intrinsic and Ectrinsic Exercise

Other

Intrinsic and extrinsic muscle strengthening exercises

Intrinsic Exercise

Other

Intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises

Primary outcomes

  1. Single Leg Stance Test

    Time frame: change from baseline balance at 2 months

    It evaluates the participants' standing balance. The entire lower extremity will be positioned in full extension, while the other side will be positioned in 90 degree flexion of the lower extremity hip and knee. The time will be started when the participants' eyes are closed and the untested feet lose contact with the ground, and the time will be stopped when they put their feet back on the ground or when their body sway increases too much.

  2. Timed-up and Go Test

    Time frame: change from baseline balance at 2 months

    TUG is a measure of dynamic balance and the risk of falling. It entails individuals rising from a chair, walking a distance of 3 feet, turning, and then sitting back down.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Range of Motion

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    For goniometric measurement, the pivot point will be placed on the lateral malleolus. The fixed arm will be held parallel to the lateral midline of the fibula. The mobile arm will follow the lateral midline of the 5th metatarsal bone.

  2. Thomas Test

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    The Thomas Test will be used to determine the shortness of the hip flexors. The Thomas test is performed with the patient in the supine position with the gluteal folds on the short side of the stretcher. The untested side lower extremity is pulled towards the abdomen by performing hip-knee flexion; the tested side extremity is checked to see if it is separated from the stretcher.

  3. Duncan-Ely Test

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    The Duncan-Ely test will be used to assess rectus femoris spasticity and shortness. In this test, the patient will be asked to lie in a prone position. The physiotherapist will attempt to quickly and passively bring the patient's knee joint on the side being assessed into full flexion. If the heel cannot touch the hip or the hip on the side being tested lifts off the stretcher, the test is considered positive.

  4. Popliteal Angle Assessment

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    It will be used to detect hamstring shortness. The patient will be in the supine position, the tested side hip-knee will be flexed to 90°, and then passive extension will be applied to the knee. Goniometric measurement will be made when the end-feel is felt in the patient's knee joint.

  5. Navicular Drop Test (NDT)

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    It is one of the static foot assessment tools and represents the sagittal plane displacement of the navicular tuberosity in a neutral position. If the NDT is below 5 mm, the foot is in supination; if it is between 6-8 mm, the foot is neutral; and if it is above 9 mm, the foot is in pronation.

  6. Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6)

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    FPI-6, which is a simple, fast and reliable method applicable to pediatric feet, defines the static postural analysis of the foot when equal load is applied to both feet during standing. Scores of 0-5 define normal foot; 6-9 define pes planovalgus and 10-12 define advanced pes planovalgus.

  7. 6-minutes Walking Test

    Time frame: 2 times for 8 weeks

    It is a useful test to assess functional exercise capacity. Patients are asked to walk as fast as they can down a straight 30-meter corridor for six minutes.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Intrinsic vs Combined Foot Muscle Strengthening for Pes Planovalgus in Preschoolers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 12, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 13, 2025

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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