BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of movement control exercise (MCE) and abductor hallucis (AbH) muscle contraction, performed via home-based telerehabilitation, on foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and balance in individuals with flat feet. METHODS: In total, 30 individuals with flat feet were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to home-based telerehabilitation focusing on MCE only or MCE emphasizing short foot motion (SFMCE) for the lower extremities. Exercises were performed over 4 weeks. Data for foot intrinsic and extrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and the Y-balance test were collected before and after the 4-week intervention. RESULTS: Abductor hallucis muscle activity in the SFMCE group was significantly higher after exercise compared with before, and there was also a significant difference between the groups. Furthermore, AbH muscle thickness was significantly greater in the SFMCE group compared with the MCE-only group. The Y-balance test performance improved significantly in the posterolateral direction in the SFMCE group. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based telerehabilitation focused on SFMCE can be used to improve foot intrinsic muscle activity, AbH muscle thickness, and functional balance in individuals with flat feet.

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