Comparison of the effect of NASM exercises with and without Kinesio taping on some musculoskeletal variables in 12 to 15-year-old female students with functional flat feet.
Comparison of the effect of NASM exercises with and without Kinesio taping on some musculoskeletal variables in people with functional flat feet.
Design
The clinical trial will be a triple-blind, pre-test and post-test study. Participants will be randomly assigned to 2 groups, with the groups performing NASM exercises with and without Kinesio taping.
Settings and conduct
Samples of 32 people are selected based on availability and randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group of 16 people and a control group of 16 people. The randomization process is carried out by a researcher who has no direct connection with the researchers and is not involved in the intervention phase. The tests are conducted in the laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Participants should have functional flat feet, be aged between 13 and 16 years, and should not have undergone surgery or suffered an injury to the lower limbs in the past six months.
Intervention groups
Subjects will be randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group will perform NASM exercises 3 times per week for 8 weeks in 30-minute sessions. The experimental group will perform NASM exercises along with Kinesio taping 3 times per week for 8 weeks in 30-minute sessions.
Main outcome variables
Navicular drop test
Star Excursion Balance Test
Static and dynamic balance
Ankle proprioception
Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20240907062968N7
Registration date:2026-05-05, 1405/02/15
Registration timing:registered_while_recruiting
Last update:2026-05-05, 1405/02/15
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-05-05, 1405/02/15
Registrant information
Name
Ali Honarvar
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 26 3443 4073
Email address
alihonarvar144@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-05-05, 1405/02/15
Expected recruitment end date
2026-05-20, 1405/02/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparison of the effect of NASM exercises with and without Kinesio taping on some musculoskeletal variables in 12 to 15-year-old female students with functional flat feet.
Public title
The effect of NASM exercises with and without Kinesio taping on some musculoskeletal variables.
Purpose
Prevention
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Flatfoot functional impairment
Written consent of the volunteer and parents
Not using any medication that affects the nervous system and controlling posture.
girls aged between 12 - 15
Exclusion criteria:
History of types of accidents, collisions, and ankle sprains
Having an allergy to adhesive and experiencing coldness and sweating of the soles.
Absence of two consecutive sessions or more than three sessions in total during the entire course
Age
From 12 years old to 15 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Care provider
Investigator
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Data and Safety Monitoring Board
Sample size
Target sample size:
32
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
The randomization method will be web-based. Subjects who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the first experimental group and the control group using the randomization method of the website (Social Psychology Network, Connecticut, USA) www.randomizer.org. The randomization will be simple. Concealment of random allocation will be done using a computer-generated blocked random table, where number 1 is defined for the NASM exercise group, and number 2 for the NASM exercise with Kinesio taping group. Then, the random numerical sequence will be placed in opaque, sealed envelopes. Also, according to the assignment of groups, the intervention will be continued by the researcher.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
Participants, after studying the consent form in a 30-minute session, are informed about the study groups and participate willingly without having the option to choose their group. Patient names are randomly divided into three equal groups by a person unaware of the individuals' identity and physical characteristics, using the website http://randomizer.org, and each part is placed separately in sealed envelopes. Then, each individual receives the appropriate training and exercises according to their assigned group. The analyzer and outcome evaluator, without knowledge of the hypotheses, study methods, and patient characteristics, examines and compares the changes made before and after eight weeks. Also, for blinding the subjects, kinesio tape was applied in both groups, with therapeutic pressure applied in the experimental group and no pressure applied in the control group, only to eliminate the placebo effect of the kinesio tape.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University Karaj branch
Street address
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mo'azen Boulevard, Rajai Shahr, Karaj City Alborz Province
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Approval date
2025-10-28, 1404/08/06
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.K.REC.1404.143
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
flat foot
ICD-10 code
M21.4
ICD-10 code description
Flat foot [pes planus] (acquired)
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Navicular drop index
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
The navicular drop test (Brody method) was used to assess foot structure. The height of the navicular bone from the ground was first measured in a seated position with standardized joint alignment, and then re-measured in a standing position with equal weight distribution. The difference between these two measurements was recorded as the navicular drop. Measurements were performed three times for each foot. A drop of 5–9 mm was considered normal, while values greater than 10 mm indicated flat foot.
2
Description
Y balance test
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
The Y-Balance Test was conducted in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Participants stood on one leg at the center of the Y and reached with the opposite leg as far as possible in each direction while maintaining balance. The reach distance from the center to the point of contact was recorded in centimeters. To minimize learning effects, participants performed six practice trials in each direction with 15 seconds of rest between trials, followed by a 5-minute rest before the main test. Trials were repeated if errors occurred (e.g., movement of the stance foot or loss of balance). For data normalization, lower limb length was measured from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus in a supine position. The final balance score was calculated as the average reach distance across the three directions relative to limb length.
3
Description
Proprioception of the ankle
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
To assess ankle joint proprioception in a closed kinetic chain, participants stood on their dominant leg while keeping the opposite leg suspended without ground contact. A 5-cm wedge was placed under the heel to minimize the passive contribution of the gastrocnemius muscle. The target ankle position was set at 15° dorsiflexion using a goniometer, with participants shifting their weight onto the test leg and maintaining this position for 5 seconds; this was repeated three times for familiarization. Participants were then asked to actively reproduce the 15° dorsiflexion angle from a neutral starting position (0°) in three trials. Each reproduced position was held for 3 seconds and recorded באמצעות imaging. The images were analyzed using Kinovea software, and the mean absolute error between the target and reproduced angles was calculated as the joint position sense error.
4
Description
Staheli Arch Index
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
The plantar arch was assessed using the Staheli Arch Index. Footprints were obtained by applying talcum powder to the participants’ feet and asking them to walk across a cardboard surface without focusing on it. The Staheli Index was calculated as the ratio of the minimum width of the midfoot region to the maximum width of the heel region (A/B). Values <0.44 indicated a high arch (pes cavus), values between 0.44 and 0.89 were considered normal, and values >0.89 indicated a low arch (flat foot).
5
Description
Static balance
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
In this test, the participant stood on the dominant leg with hands placed on the hips and positioned the toes of the non-dominant foot on the knee of the stance leg. Upon the command “ready,” the participant lifted the heel of the stance foot and balanced on the toes while maintaining stability without moving the foot or removing the hands from the hips. The test was performed three times, and the best time was recorded as the final score.
6
Description
Proprioception of the knee joint
Timepoint
Before and after the intervention
Method of measurement
Knee joint proprioception was assessed using an angle reproduction test with a goniometer. A target angle of 45° knee flexion was selected. Participants were seated with the knee initially at 90°, and the examiner passively moved the limb to the target angle, holding it for 5 seconds to allow memorization. The limb was then returned to the starting position, and after a 5-second pause, participants were asked to actively reproduce the target angle with their eyes closed. The reproduced angle was recorded. The procedure was repeated three times with 10-second rest intervals, and the absolute error between the target and reproduced angles was calculated as the outcome measure.
7
Description
Before and after the intervention
Timepoint
Before and after intervention
Method of measurement
The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) was originally developed in the United States by Hill and Hertel (2005) for adults. It consists of 26 items divided into two subscales: pain and function (disability). Scoring is based on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (unable to perform) to 4 (no difficulty). Subscale scores are calculated by summing the relevant items and are scaled from 0 to 100. The total score is obtained by summing the scores of all subscales.
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Intervention group: Subjects performed NASM exercises for eight weeks (three 30-minute sessions per week), during which time Kinesio taping was also applied to the subjects' ankles.
Category
Prevention
2
Description
Control group: Control group: NASM exercise subjects performed these exercises for eight weeks (three 30-minute sessions each week).
Category
Prevention
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Islamic Azad university Karaj Branch
Full name of responsible person
Vahid Mazloum
Street address
Moazeen Boulevard, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Phone
+98 26 3425 9571
Email
Vahid.mazloum@yahoo.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Mohammad Maleki
Street address
Mouzan Boulevard, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Phone
+98 26 3425 9571
Email
info@kiau.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
No
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Private
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Persons
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Vahid Mazloum
Position
Assistant Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mo'azen Boulevard, Rajai Shahr, Karaj City Alborz Province
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Phone
+98 26 3425 9571
Email
Vahid.mazloom@kiau.ir
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Vahid Mazloum
Position
assistant professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mo'azen Boulevard, Rajai Shahr, Karaj City Alborz Province
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Phone
009826364529571
Email
Vahid.mazloom@kiau.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Vahid Mazloum
Position
assistant professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mo'azen Boulevard, Rajai Shahr, Karaj City Alborz Province
City
Karaj
Province
Alborz
Postal code
3149968111
Phone
009826364529571
Email
Vahid.mazloom@kiau.ir
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Not applicable
Analytic Code
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
The data related to the subjects of the control and intervention groups in the pre-test and post-test are shared in an unidentifiable way.
When the data will become available and for how long
Six months after the publication of articles
To whom data/document is available
All researchers
Under which criteria data/document could be used
There is no obstacle to using data for citation, by mentioning the source.
From where data/document is obtainable
Vahid.mazloum@yahoo.com
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The request will be made by email and the answer will be sent within 15 days.