Effects of barefoot walking on the flat foot in school going children: A Randomised control trial
Flat foot is also called Plano-valgus foot, and it is a term, that is commonly used in describing flat foot. Some studies have suggested, that certain foot-specific exercises and barefoot weight bear walking can change foot function like flat foot, and also confirm that shoed walking children are more likely to get a flat foot. An Assessor blinded, Randomized controlled trial with thirty-eight children with flat foot aged 6 – 14 years, both male and female were randomised to the control group (n= 19) and intervention group (n=19). The control group had performed barefoot walking for 45 minutes a day for eight weeks, and the intervention group had received foot-specific exercises with barefoot walking for eight weeks. Foot posture was evaluated by the arch index, while the Oxford foot and ankle questionnaire was used to measure the subjective well-being of children. Measurements were taken before and after the eight weeks of intervention. The outcome of the randomised control trial showed that the barefoot walking group faired far better than that which didn't (p-value <0.05). The intervention group outcomes measure Arch Index, and Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire were p-values is <0.05 from seventh and eight weeks. This study results suggest that barefoot walking and specific foot exercises are effective in improving the flat foot in school-going children.