Shoe inserts might soothe back pain for Flat-Footed patients
NCT ID NCT03996980
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether custom-made foot orthoses (shoe inserts) can reduce chronic low back pain in adults with pronated (flat) feet. 110 participants were randomly assigned to wear either custom orthoses or flat insoles for a period. Researchers measured pain levels and disability using standard questionnaires. The goal was to see if correcting foot posture could relieve back pain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- custom-made foot orthoses
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to ease chronic low back pain in people with flat feet.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 110 participants. The orthoses may not help everyone, and benefits might be modest or no better than a flat insole.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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110 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2013
- Finished
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Jul 2019
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females between 18 and 65 years old * Presence of CLBP * Foot Posture Index pronated in one or both feet (henceforth, FPI) ≥ +6 Exclusion Criteria: * Serious illness * Current participation in another research study * Pregnancy * Previous back or foot surgery * Current treatment of foot pathology or back, and leg length discrepancy \> 5 mm
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Manuel Pabón Carrasco
Seville, Spain
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university. Departament of Podiatry
Seville, 41009, Spain
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