FULL DETAILS (Read-only)  -> Click Here to Create PDF for Current Dataset of Trial
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  
NIL 
 
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  
Name  Address 
NIL  NIL 
 
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  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
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.
 
Close