Investigation of the Effect of Intrinsic Foot Muscle Training on Plantar Pressure Distribution in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

February 27, 2026 updated by: Fatma Dilara Akar, Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

The goal of this experimental randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the exercise program to be applied to prevent foot wounds, which is one of the leading foot problems that develop as a result of diabetes, based on foot posture and plantar pressure distribution.

Participants who meet the inclusion criteria and are between the ages of 18-65 will be randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups or the control group.Participants will be assessed through surveys to evaluate their physical activity level, foot health and functionality, and sensory status of the feet. Measurements related to foot position and posture will be taken. The use of a pedobarography device will allow for the examination of plantar pressure distribution. Following these assessments, participants will receive general foot care instructions and information on appropriate footwear, along with the designated exercise program.

During routine check-ups and treatment procedures related to diabetes, blood glucose levels and HbA1c values taken from participants will be analyzed by the physician before and after the program to make comparisons. The study is planned to last for 12 weeks, and evaluations will be conducted before and after the program.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

According to the literature, evaluations for preventing and treating diabetic foot ulcers commonly include plantar pressure measurements, and it is emphasized that methods involving plantar pressure technologies should be added to traditional evaluations to be more successful in preventing diabetic foot ulcers, even in high-risk individuals.

Based on the findings from previous research, it is believed that the reduced foot intrinsic muscle strength, which has not been extensively examined in its relationship with other factors, needs to be systematically investigated for its effects on foot related measurements and plantar pressure. Furthermore, there seems to be insufficient information regarding exercise interventions focusing on foot intrinsic muscle training for preventing ulcer development in diabetic foot. Therefore, the aim of the study is to examine the effects of foot intrinsic muscle training on foot posture and plantar pressure distribution in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. By elucidating these factors, it is hoped that the exercise protocol focusing on foot intrinsic muscle training, implemented to prevent ulcer formation, will contribute to the literature and reduce the burdens associated with the disease.

Hypotheses of the study:

H0: Foot intrinsic muscle training has no effect on plantar pressure in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

H1: Foot intrinsic muscle training has an effect on plantar pressure in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

In this study, individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus between the ages of 18-65 will be included. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial, and the participants will be divided into three groups: one control group (Group 3) and two experimental groups (Group 1 and Group 2). The sample size was determined using the G-power program. According to the results obtained, it was calculated that a total of 42 individuals should be included in the study, with 14 participants in each group, considering a statistical power level of 80% and a significance level of 5%.

As part of the research, investigators will gain insights into participants' foot health through questionnaire questions, complete observational analyses of foot and foot-related measurements, evaluate participants' plantar pressure distribution using pedobarographic analysis, and implement exercise protocols focusing on foot intrinsic muscle training.

The study was designed with evaluation and treatment protocols. Demographic information and physical activity levels of the participants to be included in the study will be recorded. The measurements related to the foot will include evaluation of foot posture, goniometric measurements, assessment of tactile sensation, plantar pressure distribution analysis, and questionnaire evaluations. In addition to all these assessments, participants' blood values will be examined by the doctor before and after treatment.

The treatment protocols consist of general foot care instructions and information about appropriate footwear selection, along with exercise protocols. Group 3 - Control Group participants will receive only general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection. Group 2 participants will receive general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection, along with an exercise protocol focusing on foot intrinsic muscle training. Group 1 participants will receive general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection, foot intrinsic muscle training, and in addition, an aerobic exercise protocol. The treatment protocols will be implemented for 12 weeks, and pre- and post-treatment evaluations will be repeated to compare the results.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

37

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Üsküdar
      • Istanbul, Üsküdar, Turkey (Türkiye), 34674
        • Saglik Bilimleri University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Agree to participate in the study voluntarily
  • Be between the ages of 18-65
  • Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
  • IWGDF Risk Level 0-1 (no LOPS or PAD)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusing to participate in the study or wanting to leave the study
  • Presence of severe deformity and/or orthopedic problem in the foot
  • Presence of foot ulcer
  • History of lower extremity surgery
  • History of lower extremity amputation
  • Having serious comorbidities (renal failure, severe retinopathy, cardiac problems, neurological problems)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group 2- Intrinsic Muscle Training
Group 2 participants will receive general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection, along with an exercise protocol focusing on foot intrinsic muscle training.
Other: Intrinsic Muscle Training

In addition to general foot care instructions and briefings on the use of appropriate shoes, intrinsic muscle training including alternating toe movement, toes picking up sheets, opening and closing the toes, pinching the toe separators, toe transitions and short foot exercises will be implemented.

Additionaly, warm-up exercises, ankle exercises and functional exercises will be included in the program.
Experimental: Group 1- Aerobic Exercise
Group 1 participants will receive general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection, foot intrinsic muscle training, and in addition, an aerobic exercise protocol.
Other: Aerobic Exercise
In addition to general foot care instructions and information on the use of appropriate shoes, warm-up exercises, ankle exercises, functional exercises and intrinsic muscle training, the participants will be given a walking program for aerobic exercise.
Experimental: Group 3- Control Group
Group 3 will receive only general foot care instructions and education on appropriate footwear selection.
Other: Control
No intervention will be applied to the control group, and information will be given on general foot care instructions and the use of appropriate shoes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Plantar Pressure Distribution
Time Frame: 3 months
Plantar pressure distribution analysis will be performed statically and dynamically with the Baropodometric Platforms Freemed™, 120 cm (Sensor Medica, Italia) pedobarography platform and software. In order to obtain the static plantar pressure distribution parameters of the people included in the study, on the surface with a pressure gauge sensor; As soon as the pressure falling on one foot reaches the value to be determined, it will be analyzed during standing static stance.
3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Foot Posture
Time Frame: 3 months
Foot Posture Index was used to evaluate the foot posture of the individuals to be included in the study. The assessment will be made by the therapist based on observation and palpation by asking individuals to stand still in a relaxed position where they feel comfortable. The talonavicular joint of the forefoot, medial longitudinal arch, and abduction/adduction of the forefoot relative to the hindfoot will be evaluated. In the hindfoot, eversion/inversion of the head of the talus, lateral malleolus, and calcaneus will be evaluated.
3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dilara Akar, Saglik Bilimleri University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 4, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 13, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

November 25, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 25, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 2, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

August 3, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 27, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 22-54

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

We plan to share the method and results of our study.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

3 months

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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