Basic body awareness therapy plus short foot exercises for flexible flat feet
The Effectiveness of Basic Body Awareness Therapy Combined With Short Foot Exercises in Individuals With Pes Planus
This project will see if adding basic body awareness therapy to short foot exercises helps adults 18–45 with flexible flat feet improve arch height, balance, and body awareness.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mardin Artuklu University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Mardin, Mardi̇n) |
| Trial ID | NCT07229079 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 50 adults with flexible pes planus and randomly assign them to a combined BBAT + SFE group or an SFE-only control group. Interventions are delivered twice weekly under supervision for eight weeks with additional home exercises. Outcomes include medial longitudinal arch height, foot function, gait, balance, proprioception, plantar sensation, and self-reported body awareness measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a two-month follow-up. BBAT is being applied in this population for the first time to test whether a holistic, sensory-focused approach adds benefit beyond muscle-strengthening exercises.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–45 with flexible pes planus (navicular drop ≥10 mm and positive Jack's toe-raise test) who are willing to attend twice-weekly sessions and perform home exercises, and who do not have recent lower-limb injury, prior pes planus treatment or orthoses, obesity (BMI >30), pregnancy, systemic or neuromuscular disorders, or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with rigid flat feet, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, recent lower-limb surgery or injury, prior use of orthoses or previous pes planus treatment, obesity, pregnancy, or systemic neuromuscular disorders are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding BBAT to standard short foot exercises could improve arch support, balance, gait, and body awareness, reducing symptoms and functional limitations in people with flexible pes planus.
How similar studies have performed: Short foot exercises have demonstrated benefits for muscle activation and some functional outcomes in pes planus, but applying Basic Body Awareness Therapy to this condition is novel and untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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
Where this trial is running
Mardin, Mardi̇n
- Mardin Artuklu University — Mardin, Mardi̇n, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Fatma Betül Yardımcı, MSc — Mardin Artuklu University
- Study coordinator: Fatma Betül Yardımcı
- Email: fatmabetulyardimci@gmail.com
- Phone: +905063196665
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.