Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Plantar Fascia in Pregnant Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The feet, which are support surfaces, are adapted to the physiological relaxation and biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy. In this adaptation, it has not been objectively clarified how the plantar fascia, which plays a very important role in maintaining the height of the plantar arch, undergoes a change. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the normative values of trimester-specific biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the plantar fascia, which adapts to changes in foot structure during pregnancy.

Official Title
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Investigation of Normative Values of Trimester-Specific Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Plantar Fascia in Pregnant Women

Conditions
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Pregnant Women

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of plantar fascia
* Other: Evaluation of Foot Morphological Characteristics
* Other: Evaluation of navıcular mobility
* Other: Evaluation of Foot Posture


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: First-time pregnancy Being in the first trimester of pregnancy They are between the ages of 18-40 Pre-pregnancy Body-Mass-Index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Presence of any connective tissue disease that would affect the biomechanical or viscoelastic properties of the fascia Deterioration of skin integrity in measurement areas Presence of orthopedic, neurological, rheumatic problems that may cause musculoskeletal disorders and deviations from normal in biomechanical alignment History of surgery or fracture in the lower extremity and foot-ankle region in the last 6 months Defining metabolic disorders such as type I, II diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Group: Pregnant women (first-timed pregnant)<br>This group will consist of women in first trimester of pregnancy | Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of plantar fascia<br>* The biomechanical (Tone-Hz, Stiffness-N/m and decrement) and viscoelastic (creep and relaxation time-ms) properties of the plantar fascia will be measured in the side lying position. Measurements will be made with the ankle in neutral position.<br>Other: Evaluation of Foot Morphological Characteristics<br>* Foot length and width will be measured.<br>Other: Evaluation of navıcular mobility<br>* The amount of navicular drop of both feet will be measured.<br>Other: Evaluation of Foot Posture<br>* Foot posture will be evaluated according to Foot Posture Index.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of plantar fascia | Measuring of the stiffness (N/m) of the plantar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | The measurement of the changes from baseline stiffness values of plantar fascia at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of plantar fascia | Measuring of the biomechanical decrement of the plantar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | The measurement of the changes from baseline decrement values of plantar fascia at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of plantar fascia | Measuring of the tone (Hz) of the plantar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | The measurement of the changes from baseline tone values of plantar fascia at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of plantar fascia | Measuring of the creep of the plantar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | The measurement of the changes from baseline creep values of plantar fascia at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of plantar fascia | Measuring of the relaxation time (ms) of the plantar fascia (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | The measurement of the changes from baseline relaxation time values of plantar fascia at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of Body Weight | Body weight (kg) will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline body weight at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of Body Mass Index (BMI) | BMI will be calculated as person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters | The measurement of the changes from baseline BMI at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of Foot Morphological Characteristics | Foot width (cm) will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot width at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of Foot Morphological Characteristics | Foot length (cm) will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot length at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot mobility | Navicular drop values will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline navicular drop values at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot posture | Foot posture will be evaluated according to foot posture index. | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot posture characteristics at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stiffness, creep, normative data, plantar fascia, pregnant women