Mud-walk program to improve foot posture and balance in children with flexible flatfeet

Effects of Mud-walk on Foot Posture and Balance in Children With Flexible Flatfeet

NA · Riphah International University · NCT07244172

This will try a short mud-walk exercise program to see if it improves foot posture, balance, and leg function in 6–11-year-old children with flexible flatfeet.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment37 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 11 Years
SexAll
SponsorRiphah International University (other)
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
Trial IDNCT07244172 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a quasi-experimental pre–post study enrolling 37 children aged 6–11 with bilateral flexible flatfeet recruited from local schools. Baseline measures will include navicular height (Navicular Drop Test), Foot Posture Index-6, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, and a Single Leg Hop Test for functional performance. Participants will do 30-minute sessions (warm-up, mud walking, cool-down) three days per week for six weeks. Outcomes will be compared before and after the intervention and analyzed using SPSS.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children aged 6–11 with bilateral flexible flatfeet and a Foot Posture Index-6 score >6 who are not overweight, have no prior foot/ankle surgery, no pain or neurological disorders, and are not participating in another trial.

Not a fit: Children with rigid flatfeet, overweight/obesity, other foot deformities, current lower-extremity pain, prior foot/ankle surgery, or neurological/neuromuscular disorders are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the mud-walk program could help children develop a better foot arch, improved balance, and easier day-to-day movement that may reduce future problems.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work using strength training and uneven-surface walking has shown some improvements in balance and foot function, but mud-walking as a specific intervention is novel and not well tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children with bilateral flexible flat feet
* Children aged 6-11 years
* Children who are not involved in any other trial
* FPI-6 score \>6

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children with rigid flatfeet
* Prior foot or ankle surgery
* Pain in lower extremities
* Overweight or obese
* Any other foot deformities
* Any neurological or neuromuscular disorder

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Flexible Flatfoot, Balance, Foot Posture, Foot Posture Index, Navicular Drop Test, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.