Birol ÖNAL, Ayşe Abit KOCAMAN
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(6):1154-1159
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 groupxtime 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.
