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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06482580

The Effect of Different Exercises on Lower Extremity Performance in Flexible Flatfoot

In the study, the effects of two different strengthening exercises combined with short foot exercise on lower extremity functional performance and muscle strength will be examined and compared in adults aged 18-45 years with flexible flatfoot. This study was designed as an experimental, 3-arm, parallel group, double-blind randomized controlled study that included a 6-week intervention period.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Flexible Flatfoot 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–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gazi University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Ankara, Çankaya, 06540, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Participants will be randomly divided into 3 different groups (control group, foot-ankle exercise group, hip exercise group). The control group will be instructed to perform only short foot exercise; the foot-ankle exercise group will be instructed to perform 3-dimensional foot-ankle extension exercise in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern in addition to short foot exercise; the hip exercise group will be instructed to perform hip abductor and external rotator muscle strengthening exercise (clam exercise) in addition to short foot exercise. Foot-ankle and hip exercises will be performed against resistance with the help of an elastic band, 3 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and progression will be made by changing to a higher level of difficulty band color every 2 weeks. Short foot exercise will be performed every day of the week (3 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist; the rest of the days as a home exercise program) and will be progressed by changing position (sitting, standing, on one leg respectively) every 2 weeks. All exercises will be performed for 6 weeks. Assessments will be performed at the beginning and end of the exercises by another researcher blinded to group allocation. Isometric muscle strength of the intrinsic foot, four-way ankle circumference and hip abductor-external rotator muscles, endurance of the plantar flexors, forward jump and dynamic balance performance will be evaluated respectively.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age range is 18-45 years
  • Navicular drop is 10 mm or more
  • Getting a value of +6 points or more from the Foot Posture Index-6

Exclusion criteria

  • Orthopedic and rheumatological diseases of the spinal region and lower extremities
  • Surgery history of the spine and lower extremities
  • Neurological and systemic disorders
  • Describe lower extremity and/or lower back pain in the last 6 months
  • Disorders that may affect cognition and balance (otitis media, visual impairment, etc.)
  • Body mass index being above normal values (18-24.9 kg/m2)
  • Having rigid flat feet and/or hallux rigidus-limitus deformity
  • Being involved in regular sports or exercise
  • Having received any physiotherapy or rehabilitation treatment for flat feet or hips in the last year

Treatment and study plan

PNF exercise

Other

Ankle and foot exercises practiced for 6 weeks.

Clam exercise

Other

Hip exercise practiced for 6 weeks.

Short-foot exercise

Other

Foot exercise practiced together for 6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Medial longitudinal arch height

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Medial longitudinal arch height will be evaluated with the navicular drop test.

  2. Static foot posture

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Static foot posture will be evaluated with Foot Posture Index-6.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Isometric muscle strength

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, 4-way ankle muscles and hip abductor/external rotator isometric muscle strength will be evaluated using a digital hand-held dynamometer.

  2. Lower extremity functional performance

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    With plantar flexor focused endurance performance heel raise test; with dynamic balance Y balance test; Single leg forward jump performance will be evaluated with the single leg hop for distance test.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mustafa Kemal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Effect of Ankle Exercise in PNF Pattern and Clam Exercise on Lower Extremity Muscle Strengh and Performance in Adults With Flexible Flat Feet: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 1, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 3, 2024

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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