Core stability exercises for adults with bilateral flexible flat feet

Effect of Core Stability Exercises on Medial Longitudinal Arch Height and Balance in Individuals With Bilateral Flexible Flat Foot

We will test whether adding core stability exercises to usual therapy helps adults (18–39) with bilateral flexible flat feet improve arch height, balance, and ankle function.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Cairo and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07140861 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study will enroll 40 adults with bilateral flexible flat foot and navicular drop >10 mm, randomly assigning them to conventional therapy alone or conventional therapy plus a core stability training protocol. Treatments are delivered three times per week for six weeks at Cairo University physical therapy facilities. Outcomes include navicular drop, arch height index, postural stability measured on a Biodex Balance System, and ankle-related disability using the Arabic Foot Function Index. Key eligibility limits are age 18–39 and BMI 18.5–25, with exclusion of prior lower-limb trauma, surgery, neurologic or lumbar conditions, leg-length discrepancy, rigid or unilateral flat foot.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–39 with bilateral flexible flat feet (navicular drop >10 mm) and BMI 18.5–25 without prior lower-limb trauma, surgery, neurologic disease, leg-length discrepancy, or lumbar spine problems.

Not a fit: People with unilateral or rigid flat foot, prior lower-limb fractures or surgery, neuromuscular or lumbar spine disorders, sensory problems, leg-length discrepancy, or those outside the age/BMI ranges are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding core stability exercises could improve arch support, balance, and ankle-related function and reduce disability for people with bilateral flexible flat foot.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has noted reduced core stability and poorer balance in people with flat feet and supports balance/core training, but randomized trials specifically testing core stability programs for bilateral flexible flat foot are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 40 Participants of both genders with bilateral flexible flatfoot.
2. Their age ranges from 18 to 39 years.
3. All Participants with a navicular drop (ND) greater than 10 mm.
4. Body mass index from 18.5-25 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Traumatic condition of the lower limbs.
2. History of Fracture of the lower limbs.
3. previous orthopedic disorders or neurologic deficit of the lower limbs.
4. Previous surgery of the lower limbs.
5. Any sensory problems.
6. Leg length discrepancy.
7. Neuromuscular disease like multiple scelerosis.
8. Unilateral flexible flat foot.
9. Rigid flat foot.
10. Any lumbar spine problems

Where this trial is running

Cairo and 1 other locations

• Physical therapy College - Cairo university — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)
• Physical Therapy faculty, Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ahmed Abdou, Assistant lecturer — Department of Basic sciences for physical therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy , Cairo university, Cairo, Egypt
• Study coordinator: Doaa Rafat Assistant professor of physical therapy - Cairo university, Assistant professor

Conditions Flat Feet; core stability exercises; medial longitudinal arch height; balance; bilateral flexible flat foot