Foot Muscle Exercise: A Novel Approach to Improve Motor Functions in Children with Down Syndrome Having Pes Planus - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of foot muscle exercises in children with DS having pes planus.

Methods: Forty-seven subjects randomly assigned to foot muscle exercises (study group) or an arch support insole with one-leg balance exercises (control group), thrice weekly intervention for 12-weeks followed by a home program with residual effect assessed after 24-weeks from baseline.

Results: The motor functions were significantly improved in both groups (p 0.00). A positive residual effect was found in the study group for both parameters. Whilst in the control group it failed to give a positive residual effect for GMFM-88, while PBS yielded positive outcomes. The study group showed significantly better results than the control group in comparison.

Conclusion: The novel finding suggests that the foot muscle exercise has the potential to improve motor functions in children with Down syndrome and it can be used as an alternative therapeutic approach to the conventional method.