Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial

Birol Önal; Ayşe Abit Kocaman

Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a single session of gaze stabilization exercises (GSEs) on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus. Methods: This randomised controlled trial enrolled 40 individuals with flexible pes planus (navicular drop ≥10 mm), who were randomly allocated to an exercise group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). The exercise group performed a 10-minute gaze stabilization exercise protocol consisting of eight oculomotor and gaze stabilization exercises. Balance was assessed using the Biodex Balance System at four time points: before the intervention (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), 15 minutes post-intervention (T2), and 30 minutes post-intervention (T3). The Overall Stability Index, Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI), and Fall Risk scores were recorded at each assessment. Results: After adjustment for baseline values, mixed-design ANCOVA showed no significant group or group×time effects for any postural stability or fall risk outcome (all p>0.05). A significant main effect of time was observed only for the Mediolateral Stability Index (p=0.002). Conclusion: A single session of GSEs did not provide additional immediate improvements in postural stability or fall risk beyond those observed in the control condition among young adults with flexible pes planus.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

There are no funders to report for this study.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Kırıkkale University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee (Meeting Date: February 28, 2024; Meeting No: 2024/04; Decision No: 2024.02.35). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all participants who volunteered their time to take part in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physiotherapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Birol Önal ^*
0000-0002-3540-7156
Türkiye

Ayşe Abit Kocaman
0000-0002-6694-3015
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 25, 2026

Submission Date

June 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 6

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Önal, B., & Abit Kocaman, A. (2026). Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(6), 1154-1159. https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF

AMA

1.Önal B, Abit Kocaman A. Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(6):1154-1159. https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF

Chicago

Önal, Birol, and Ayşe Abit Kocaman. 2026. “Immediate Effects of Gaze Stabilization Exercises on Postural Stability and Fall Risk in Individuals With Pes Planus: A Randomised Controlled Trial”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (6): 1154-59. https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF.

EndNote

Önal B, Abit Kocaman A (October 1, 2026) Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 6 1154–1159.

IEEE

[1]B. Önal and A. Abit Kocaman, “Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1154–1159, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF

ISNAD

Önal, Birol - Abit Kocaman, Ayşe. “Immediate Effects of Gaze Stabilization Exercises on Postural Stability and Fall Risk in Individuals With Pes Planus: A Randomised Controlled Trial”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/6 (October 1, 2026): 1154-1159. https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF.

JAMA

1.Önal B, Abit Kocaman A. Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:1154–1159.

MLA

Önal, Birol, and Ayşe Abit Kocaman. “Immediate Effects of Gaze Stabilization Exercises on Postural Stability and Fall Risk in Individuals With Pes Planus: A Randomised Controlled Trial”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2026, pp. 1154-9, https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF.

Vancouver

1.Birol Önal, Ayşe Abit Kocaman. Immediate effects of gaze stabilization exercises on postural stability and fall risk in individuals with pes planus: a randomised controlled trial. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;8(6):1154-9. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA89JR48GF