Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release Techniques on Balance in Young Adults With Pes Planus

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release Techniques on Balance in Young Adults With Pes Planus: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

The plantar fascia is a thick, multi-layered, non-elastic fibrous tissue band that extends along the plantar surface of the foot.The configuration of the plantar fascia is generally considered as a dense, longitudinally arranged fiber band divided into medial, central, and lateral components. The most significant functional role of the plantar fascia is to maintain the arch structure of the foot, providing a stable support base while standing and absorbing dynamic reaction forces during walking.Pes planus is a rather general term with many definitions. Staheli described pes planus as a "foot with a broad base of support," commonly known as flatfoot in layman's terms. In a study involving 80 female participants aged 65 and older, 90% of foot deformities observed while standing were identified as pes planus. Generally, pes planus is a condition characterized by excessive pronation of the rear part of the foot and a lowering of the medial longitudinal arch. During the push-off phase of walking, the pronation moment generated by the ground reaction force flattens the arch as the subtalar joint rotation combines. The shift in position in the talus bone causes the navicular bone to drop. The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament tightens, and the tibialis posterior muscle lengthens. Abnormalities in the bones of the foot, dysfunction of the tibialis posterior muscle, Achilles tendon shortening, or muscle weakness can contribute to pes planus. Individuals with pes planus may experience foot and leg pain with exercise, physical activity, and prolonged walking, which can limit their level of physical activity. Research has examined the relationship between pes planus and various physical parameters, and it has been found that one of these parameters, balance, is negatively affected by the presence of pes planus.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Flat Foot
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Graston; Other: Percussive massage

Detailed Description

Participant information, including age, gender, height, body weight, and body mass index, was recorded using a general form. Dynamic and static balance was assessed before and after the interventions in the study groups. Three specialist physiotherapists conducted measurements and evaluations (navicular drop, static and dynamic balance). The assessing physiotherapist remained consistent throughout, and they were unaware of the participant groups. An expert in manual therapy administered the MRTs. Statistical analysis was performed by a separate researcher uninvolved in the practical aspects of the study.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey
    • İstanbul Gelişim University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• volunteering for study participation,
• being between the ages of 18-25
• presence of pes planus.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of orthopedic conditions other than pes planus,
• having a history of lower extremity surgery
• presence of neurological or rheumatological disorders,
• having a problem with vision or hearing
• participating in regular physical activity (>150 min/week)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Graston Group; Miyofascial release was performed by graston tool on the entire plantar fascia.	Other: Graston; For the application, the individual was asked to lie face down, flex the knee to 90 degrees and release the ankle. The therapist took a position next to the individual on the side to be treated. Application was applied to the entire plantar fascia for 10 minutes in the longitudinal, vertical and oblique directions.
Experimental: Percussive Massage Group; Miyofascial release was performed by theragun tool on the entire plantar fascia.	Other: Percussive massage; For the application, the individual was asked to lie face down, flex the knee to 90 degrees and release the ankle. The therapist took a position next to the individual on the side to be treated. Application was applied to the entire plantar fascia for 5 minutes in all directions without being bound to a single direction.
No Intervention: Control Group; No application has been made.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Static Balance Test	The static balance level of individuals was measured with the Flamingo Balance Test, a valid and reliable instrument. It was recorded how many times the individual fell or broke the test while trying to balance on one leg for 1 minute on a 15 cm long, 4 cm wide wooden plate. During this period, each time the test was stopped, the timer was also stopped, and the timer was restarted after the individual repositioned. The test was repeated 3 times, and the average value was recorded.	Baseline and after immediately after intervention
Dynamic Balance Test	The dynamic balance level of individuals was measured with the "Y" Balance Test, a valid and reliable instrument, and their dominant extremities were evaluated. While trying to balance on one foot at the midpoint of the assembly, the individual was asked to reach forward with the other foot in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions and touch the tip of the toe. The test was repeated 3 times in each direction, and the average value was recorded.	Baseline and after immediately after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Gelisim University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 25, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 25, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): March 25, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): September 14, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 18, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 14, 2023
• Last Verified: September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial; Postural Balance; Myofascial Release; Pes Planus
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Congenital Abnormalities; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities; Limb Deformities, Congenital; Foot Deformities; Foot Deformities, Acquired; Foot Deformities, Congenital; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital; Talipes; Flatfoot
• Other Study ID Numbers: PP001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make IPD available.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No