Balance, Plantar Pressure Distribution and Gait in Pes Planus

Summary

Introduction:The results of studies evaluating balance, plantar pressure analysis, and gait in adults with pes planus have differed in the literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate balance, plantar pressure, and gait in adults with pes planus and compare them with adults without pes planus.

Materials and Methods: The study will be conducted at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Athletic Training and Research Center. A total of 118 individuals, 59 individuals with pes planus and 59 individuals without pes planus, will be included in the study according to the Navicular Drop Test and Foot Posture Index. In the study, the descriptive characteristics of the individuals will be recorded. Static and dynamic balance measurements, plantar pressure analysis and gait analysis of individuals will be performed, and the two groups will be compared.

Results: The data will be analyzed using the statistical program for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). The data will be expressed as mean standard deviation (X±SD) and number (n%). The homogeneity of the groups will be evaluated with the Levene Test. Balance, plantar pressure, and walking values between the groups will be compared using the "Mann Whitney-U" Test. All the statistical analyses will be set a priori at an alpha level of p\<0.05.

Discussion: The results will be discussed in the light of the recent literature. In the literature, there are conflicting results about the balance and gait of adults with pes planus. The study can contribute to the literature in this respect.

Conditions

• Pes Planus

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Navicular Drop Test

The researchers will measure the distance between the navicular tuberosity and the ground with a caliper with non-weight bearing in sitting. After that, the distance between the ground and the navicular tuberosity will be measured in standing while weight-bearing. The researchers will evaluate both sides and record the value in mm. According to Navicular Drop Test, the difference between weighted and unweighted measurements is considered normal (neutral) if it is between 5 and 9 mm, pronation (pes planus) if it is 10 mm or more, and supination (pes cavus) if it is 4 mm or less. In our study, individuals with a difference of 10 mm or more in both feet will be included in the pes planus, and individuals with a difference between 5-9 mm will be included in the control group.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Foot Posture Index

The index consists of six items in which the foot is evaluated observationally. In the evaluation, the individual is asked to stand in a comfortable and relaxed position. The researcher observes the medial longitudinal arch structure, the structure of the talonavicular joint region, the degree of abduction/adduction in the forefoot relative to the hindfoot in the front part of the foot. In the back foot, inversion/eversion of the calcaneus, talus head position, and curvatures above and below the lateral malleolus are evaluated. The total score is reached by scoring each criterion between -2 and +2 values. 0; neutral position, (+) values; pronation (pes planus), (-) values indicate supination (pes cavus). Individuals with +6 to +12 points from this index will be included in our study.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Balance

Static and dynamic balance and stability limit values of individuals will be evaluated with the HUR Smart Balance (SME Inc, USA) balance measurement device. The device consists of a computer and a platform on which individuals can place their feet. For static balance measurement, individuals will be asked to place their feet on the marked places on the platform. The researchers will evaluate the balance in four different situations, 30 seconds each. In the first test, individuals keep the balance on firm ground with their eyes open. The second test performed on the firm ground with eyes closed, in the third test, on the soft ground with eyes open, and in the fourth test, on the soft ground with eyes closed. For dynamic balance, individuals will be asked to extend their body weight to the front, back, and sides with their feet in 4 different directions for 8 seconds.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Plantar Pressure Analysis

Plantar pressure analysis of individuals will be evaluated by measuring with the DIERS Pedoscan DICAM 3 v3.10.8 (2019) device. DIERS Pedoscan is a system integrated into the treadmill that measures the pressure distribution on the sole during stance. As a result of this evaluation, right-left and anterior-posterior weight transfer, left-right foot rotation, lateral mobility, the center of gravity movement, and swing area data will be recorded.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Gait Analysis

Gait analysis of individuals will be evaluated with the DIERS Leg Axis DICAM 3 v3.10.8 (2019) system. The system consists of a treadmill, computer, and cameras. Before the measurement, colored markers will be placed on the knee and ankle joints of the individual. For gait assessment, individuals will walk at their preferred comfortable walking speed. In the evaluation, joint angles, walking speed, step lengths are recorded. Evaluation time is approximately 5 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baskent University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hasan Yasin Acar, PT · Baskent University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-02-10

Primary Completion

2022-03-30

Completion

2022-03-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations