Short-term Effects of Using Arch Supporting Insoles on Balance and Symptoms of Flexible Flat Foot in Children

Abstract

Background and Aims One of the treatment methods for Pediatric Flexible Flat Foot (PFFF) is to use medical insoles. The current study aimed to investigate the Short-term effects of arch supporting insoles on balance and symptoms of flexible flat foot in children. Methods Twenty children aged 6-11 years with a flexible flatfoot complication were purposefully selected after applying Inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to two intervention (n=10) and control groups (n=10). The intervention group used insoles supporting the longitudinal arch of the foot in their shoes for 12 weeks, but the control group did not use them. To measure the balance and symptoms of flexible flat foot in children, a sensory organization test of dynamic posturography apparatus, medial longitudinal arch height, and footprint were used in the pre-posttest. The intervention group used insoles supporting the longitudinal arch of the foot in their shoes for 12 weeks, but the control group did not. Data analysis was performed in two descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (covariance analysis) sections using SPSS software v. 25 at a significance level of α<0.05. Results The results showed that short-term use of medical insoles led to improved balance in conditions of normal vision and fixed support (P=0.047), absent vision and fixed support (P=0.1010), sway referenced vision and fixed support (P=0.004), normal vision and fixed support (P=0.004), absent vision and sway referenced support (P=0.001) and sway referenced vision and sway referenced support (P=0.001). The results also showed that medical insoles improved the medial longitudinal arch of the foot (P=0.001) and footprint (P=0.001). Conclusion According to the results of the present study, educators and parents of children with flexible flat foot are advised to use supportive medical insoles to improve children’s motor function, balance, and symptoms of flexible flat foot.