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NCT Number: NCT07229079

The Effectiveness of Basic Body Awareness Therapy in Individuals With Pes Planus

This study investigates whether adding Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) to Short Foot Exercises (SFE) improves pes planus, balance, and body awareness in adults with flexible pes planus. Fifty participants aged 18-45 will be randomly assigned to either a BBAT + SFE group or an SFE-only control group. The interventions will last eight weeks with supervised sessions twice weekly and additional home exercises. Outcomes will be measured before, after, and two months post-intervention.

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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

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Pes planus is a common orthopedic condition characterized by the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, which negatively affects lower extremity biomechanics, postural stability, and balance. Currently, interventions targeting muscle activation-such as short foot exercises (SFE)-are widely used in the management of pes planus. However, it is believed that holistic approaches incorporating sensory input and body awareness may further enhance functional outcomes in these individuals. Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) is a physiotherapeutic method designed to improve movement quality, balance, and posture. In this study, BBAT will be applied for the first time in individuals with pes planus. This project aims to investigate the effects of BBAT, when combined with SFE, on medial longitudinal arch height, foot function, gait, balance, proprioception, plantar sensation, and body awareness in individuals with pes planus. The study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Fifty participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned into two groups of 25: a BBAT group (SFE + BBAT) and a control group (SFE only). Interventions will be administered twice a week for a duration of eight weeks. Assessments will be conducted at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the eight-week intervention period, and two months post-intervention (follow-up). This study aims to demonstrate that BBAT can provide significant improvements in both somatic and sensory parameters in individuals with pes planus, offering a holistic complement to traditional exercise-based approaches. In doing so, it is expected to contribute an innovative perspective to clinical physiotherapy practices and address a significant gap in the existing literature.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-45 years
  • Willing to participate in the study
  • Flexible pes planus (Navicular Drop ≥10 mm and positive Jack's Toe Raise Test)

Exclusion criteria

  • Pain in lower extremity joints
  • Obesity (BMI >30)
  • Pregnancy
  • Systemic, neuromuscular, or neurological disorders
  • Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (unable to perform heel-rise test)
  • History of lower limb surgery
  • Previous treatment for pes planus or use of foot orthoses
  • Lower extremity injury in past 6 months
  • Orthopedic conditions other than pes planus and mild hallux valgus (Manchester Scale C or D excluded)
  • Participation in regular exercise program in past 6 months
  • Prior personal experience with TBFT and/or short foot exercises

Treatment and study plan

Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT)

Behavioral

Participants will perform Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) combined with SFE for 8 weeks. BBAT sessions are 45 minutes, twice weekly in small groups under a certified physiotherapist. Exercises target postural control, motor coordination, body awareness, balance, and functional movement, progressing from supine to sitting, standing, and walking positions. After each BBAT session, participants perform SFE following the same progression as the Control Group.

Short Foot Exercises (SFE)

Behavioral

Participants will perform Short Foot Exercises (SFE) for 8 weeks. Sessions are twice weekly under physiotherapist supervision in small groups (3-8 participants) and 5 days/week at home. Exercises progress from sitting (weeks 1-2), standing (weeks 3-4), single-leg (weeks 5-6), to functional activities (weeks 7-8). Each session lasts ~20 minutes, 3 sets of 10 reps with 1-minute rest. Participants receive instruction on proper technique and adherence is monitored online

Primary outcomes

  1. Navicular Drop Test

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months after intervention)

    Assessment of medial longitudinal arch height to determine presence and severity of pes planus. Test performed in both sitting (non-weight-bearing) and standing (weight-bearing) positions. Difference ≥10 mm indicates pes planus.

  2. Dynamic Balance

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    Y Balance Test measuring reach distance in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Results normalized to leg length.

  3. Proprioception

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    Active and passive joint position sense of the ankle measured with digital goniometer. Eyes closed; angular error from target angle recorded.

  4. Light Touch Sensation

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test at seven foot reference points. Threshold of sensation recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Foot Function Index - Pain Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    The Pain subscale of the Foot Function Index (FFI) assesses foot pain during daily activities. It includes 9 items rated on a 0-10 Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate worse pain.self-rate 23 items using a visual analog scale.

  2. Foot Function Index - Disability Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    The Disability subscale of the Foot Function Index (FFI) evaluates difficulty in performing functional activities. It contains 9 items scored on a 0-10 Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate greater disability.

  3. Foot Function Index - Activity Limitation Subscale

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    The Activity Limitation subscale of the Foot Function Index (FFI) measures limitations in essential daily activities. It consists of 5 items rated on a 0-10 Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate greater activity limitation.

  4. Foot Function Index - Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    The Total Score of the Foot Function Index (FFI) is calculated by combining all pain, disability, and activity limitation items (23 items in total). Each item is rated on a 0-10 Likert-type scale. The total score reflects the overall foot-related functional status, with higher scores indicating worse function.

  5. Static Balance

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    Flamingo Balance Test. Participant stands on one leg on a narrow beam for 1 minute; balance errors recorded.

  6. Gait Performance

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    10-Meter Walk Test performed at comfortable walking speed. Time recorded and averaged over three trials.

  7. Body Awareness

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), follow-up (2 months)

    Body Awareness Questionnaire assessing participant's perception of bodily sensations and processes. Score range 18-126; higher scores indicate better awareness.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Bahar Anaforoglu

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905057421220

Fatma Betül Yardımcı

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905063196665

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mardin Artuklu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effectiveness of Basic Body Awareness Therapy Combined With Short Foot Exercises in Individuals With Pes Planus

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Nov 17, 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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