N/A
N=85
Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises on Foot Posture, Function and Limb Alignment in Flexible Flat Feet Patients
Flexible Flatfoot
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06567509 ↗Enrolled (actual)
85
Serious AEs
—
Results posted
Apr 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: Staheli Plantar Arch Index (SPAI) — -0.18; -0.03; -0.138; -0.036 Millimeters (mm) — p=<0.001
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Core stability exercises and Short foot exercises (Other); Conventional foot exercises and short foot exercises (Other)
- Age
- Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- International Islamic University Malaysia
- Primary completion
- Jan 2026
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Staheli Plantar Arch Index (SPAI) |
-0.18; -0.03; -0.138; -0.036; -0.15; -0.04 | <0.001 sig |
| PRIMARY Foot Posture (Rare Foot Angle) |
-5.40; -2.20; -3.5; -1.19; -4.80; 0.30 | 0.004 sig |
| PRIMARY Lower Limb Alignment (Left Q Angle) |
2.10; 1.10; -2.22; -0.45; 1.90; 0.20 | 0.208 |
| PRIMARY Foot Function Index (FFI) |
— | — |
| SECONDARY Core Muscle Endurance (MacGill Protocol): Isometric Extensor Test |
18.66; 2.90; 15.60; 7.30 | — |
| SECONDARY Core Muscle Endurance (MacGill Protocol): Isometric Flexor Test |
8.66; -12.58; 18.30; -12.50 | — |
| SECONDARY Core Muscle Endurance (MacGill Protocol): Isometric Flexor Test (Side Bridges Test, Left & Right) |
18.83; 6.42; 17.50; 6.80; 17.34; 3.48 | — |
Summary
Flexible flat foot is a very common musculoskeletal disorder of lower limbs in general population. Studies have reported that a flexible flat foot causes an alteration in the human body structures and lower limb kinetics due to a rotational torque in the tibia and femur which in turn affects the lumbar spine. This altered mechanics affects the musculature around the lumbar spine especially the core muscles. A strong link between core muscles and lower limb control, foot posture and pressure force has been found in previous studies. While the role of core muscles on lower limb posture and functions has been determined, there is lack of evidence on the benefits of core stabilization exercises on foot arch deficits. Hence, the proposed study will determine the exercise components of core muscles training that are relevant for the flat foot pathology and then will experiment its effects on the foot posture and function. The first step of the proposed study will begin with an extensive literature survey to identify the components of core stability training that have been recommended in the management of lower limbs dysfunction. Then, a protocol of core muscles training will be devised and followed up with a pilot study where the purpose will be to assess the feasibility of the training protocol. The final step of the proposed study will be an experimental study. The subjects for the experimental study will be selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be allocated alternately into experimental and control group. The experimental group will receive core stability training as an intervention. Whereas the control group will receive traditional conventional physiotherapy treatment. The foot posture, foot function and lower limb alignment will be assessed before and after the completion of treatment protocol. The data will be analyzed for any differences between group differences and between group differences. The outcomes of the proposed study may have an implication in the lower limb alignment and foot arch correction strategies.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Subjects of age group 18 to 30 years.
- Both males and females.
- No recent history of lower limb injuries.
- Subjects with bilateral flexible flat feet as per the definition.
- Subjects with positive navicular drop test (> 10mm).
- Subjects with Positive Jack toe rising test.
Exclusion Criteria
- Rigid flat foot
- Subject who are involved in a specific sport at least 2 h /day and 3 times a week regularly.
- History of arthritic symptoms of lower limb joints.
- History of any ligament or tendon injuries around ankle, knee, or hip joint.
- History of any limb surgery or back surgery.
- Chronic back pain.
- Any history of neurological deficit or diabetic neuropathy.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06567509). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.