Examining the efficacy of short foot exercises as an effective stand-alone treatment for mechanical low back pain associated with foot overpronation

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.