Affiliations: [a] Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | [b] Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt | Tel.: +966 11 588 6327; E-mail: waleeds306@yahoo.com
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 11 588 6327; E-mail: waleeds306@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Abnormal foot mechanics in foot over-pronation has an identified relationship with mechanical low back pain (MLBP). OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of short foot exercises (SFEs) as a standalone treatment for MLBP with foot over-pronation. METHODS: Forty-six patients with MLBP (PwMLBP) presenting with and foot over-pronation were analyzed. They were randomized into the SFE (short foot exercise), SFE plus traditional physical therapy treatment (SFE+TPT), and control (CG) groups. Functional disability and pain level were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. Ultrasonography measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle. The foot posture and navicular drop (ND) were investigated using the foot posture index-6 (FPI) score and ND test, respectively. RESULTS: The CSA of the AbdH and VAS scores improved significantly (p< 0.001) between the groups, more in the SFE+TPT group than in the SFE group (p< 0.001). The ND, FPI, and ODI measures improved significantly among the groups (p< 0.001), with no significant difference (p> 0.002) between the SFE and SFE+TPT groups. The CG did not show significant differences in the outcome measures (p> 0.002). Based on the effect size, SFEs significantly improved all the variables of interest (d>1). CONCLUSION: SFEs, with or without TPT may offer an effective treatment for PwMLBP with foot over-pronation.
Keywords: Mechanical low back pain, foot overpronation, short foot exercises, navicular drop, abductor hallucis muscle
