| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2026/02/103056 [Registered on: 05/02/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
05/02/2026 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Randomized, Parallel Group Trial |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Effect of Muscle Energy Technique and Strengthening Exercises on Plantar Pressure in Individuals with Flat Foot. |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Short Term Effects in Plantar Pressure After MET and Strengthening Exercise in Population Having Flatfoot. |
| Trial Acronym |
STEP-FF Trial |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Ankit Charan |
| Designation |
Post Graduate Student |
| Affiliation |
Department of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies |
| Address |
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies,Manav Rachna Campus Rd, Gadakhor Basti Village, Sector 43, Faridabad, Haryana
Faridabad HARYANA 121010 India |
| Phone |
9650160898 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
drankitcharanpt@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Dr. Pooja Sharma |
| Designation |
Associate Professor |
| Affiliation |
Department Of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies |
| Address |
Department Of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies,Manav Rachna Campus Rd, Gadakhor Basti Village, Sector 43, Faridabad, Haryana
Faridabad HARYANA 121010 India |
| Phone |
9999826604 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
pooja.fas@mriu.edu.in |
|
Details of Contact Person Public Query
|
| Name |
Ankit Charan |
| Designation |
Post Graduate Student |
| Affiliation |
Department Of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences,Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies |
| Address |
Department Of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies,Manav Rachna Campus Rd, Gadakhor Basti Village, Sector 43, Faridabad, Haryana
Faridabad HARYANA 121010 India |
| Phone |
9650160898 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
drankitcharanpt@gmail.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Ankit Charan |
| Address |
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Manav Rachna Campus Rd, Gadakhor Basti Village, Sector 43, Faridabad, Haryana 121010 |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [PG Student] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Dr Ankit Charan |
Faridabad |
Department Of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Manav Rachna Campus Rd, Gadakhor Basti Village, Sector 43, Faridabad, Haryana 121010 Faridabad HARYANA |
9650160898
drankitcharanpt@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| Departmental Ethical Committee (DEC), Department of Physiotherapy, School Of Allied Health Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute Of Research And Studies. |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Patients |
(1) ICD-10 Condition: M958||Other specified acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system, |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Intervention |
Muscle energy technique and strengthening exercise |
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)- 3 times in a week, total for 4 weeks. Focusing on muscles Posterior Tibialis, Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Intrinsic toe. Repetition and sets: 3reps with 5 to 7 second hold.
Strengthening Exercise- Home Exercise Program includes short foot exercises, towel curl, marble pickup, resistance band inversion, toe spread. Repetition and sets: 10 reps with 5 seconds hold. 4 weeks. |
| Comparator Agent |
Strengthening exercise |
Strengthening Exercise- Home Exercise Program includes short foot exercises, towel curl, marble pickup, resistance band inversion, toe spread. Repetition and sets: 10 reps with 5 seconds hold. 4 weeks. |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
25.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
1 Adults aged 18 to 25 years.
2 Diagnosed with flatfoot based on clinical examination.
3 Foot Posture Index of more than 5.
4 Ability to perform exercises and follow instructions independently.
5 No history of foot or ankle surgery.
6 Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
|
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
1 Presence of systemic musculoskeletal or neurological disorders affecting foot or lower limb function.
2 Patients with rigid flatfoot, a history of foot or ankle surgery.
3 Participation in other foot-related interventions example orthoses and foot exercises during the study period.
4 Acute foot pain and injury or infection from last 6 months.
5 Any condition that prevents safe participation in exercises or MET.
|
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Computer generated randomization |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Participant Blinded |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
1 Plantar Pressure Distribution
2 Foot Function Index
3 Goniometer |
Pre Assessment- at the baseline
Mid Assessment- end of the 2nd Week
Post Assessment- last of the 4th Week |
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| clarke angle |
Pre Assessment- at the baseline
Mid Assessment- end of the 2nd week
Post Assessment- last of the 4th week. |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="21" Sample Size from India="21"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
25/02/2026 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="0" Months="2" Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Yet Recruiting |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
Flat foot (pes planus) is a common condition characterized by collapse of the medial longitudinal arch, leading to altered plantar pressure distribution, foot fatigue, discomfort, and increased risk of lower-limb musculoskeletal problems. Individuals with flat foot often show increased pressure over the midfoot and medial forefoot, which may affect gait and functional activities. Physiotherapy interventions such as foot strengthening exercises are commonly used to improve arch support and foot function. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy approach that aims to improve muscle balance, joint alignment, and neuromuscular control. However, there is limited evidence on the short-term effects of combining MET with strengthening exercises on plantar pressure distribution in individuals with flat foot. This experimental study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of Muscle Energy Technique combined with targeted foot strengthening exercises on plantar pressure distribution in adults with flat foot. A total of 42 participants aged 18–25 years with diagnosed flat foot will be randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group will receive MET along with strengthening exercises, while the control group will receive strengthening exercises alone. The intervention will be carried out for four weeks, three sessions per week. Outcome measures will include plantar pressure distribution assessed using a plantar pressure platform, Foot Function Index, Clarke’s angle, and goniometric assessment. Assessments will be performed at baseline, midpoint (2nd week), and post-intervention (5th week). The results of this study may help determine the effectiveness of combining MET with strengthening exercises in improving plantar pressure distribution and foot function in individuals with flat foot. |