Effects of Home-Based Telerehabilitation on Foot Intrinsic Muscle Activity and Thickness in Individuals With Flat Feet: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the effects of movement control exercise (MCE) and abductor hallucis (AbH) muscle contraction, performed via home-based telerehabilitation, on foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and balance in individuals with flat feet.

METHODS

In total, 30 individuals with flat feet were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to home-based telerehabilitation focusing on MCE only or MCE emphasizing short foot motion (SFMCE) for the lower extremities. Exercises were performed over 4 weeks. Data for foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and the Y-balance test were collected before and after the 4-week intervention.

RESULTS

Abductor hallucis muscle activity in the SFMCE group was significantly higher after exercise compared with before, and there was also a significant difference between the groups. Furthermore, AbH muscle thickness was significantly greater in the SFMCE group compared with the MCE-only group. The Y-balance test performance improved significantly in the posterolateral direction in the SFMCE group.

CONCLUSIONS

Home-based telerehabilitation focused on SFMCE can be used to improve foot intrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and functional balance in individuals with flat feet.