Walking Function Outcomes Following Surgical Correction With Rehabilitation Versus Physical Therapy Alone in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Bidirectional Cohort Study

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Conditions studied: Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT), Pes Cavovarus, Surgery, Exercise Training, Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD), Gait Disorders

In brief

The goal of this study is to compare changes in walking ability in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) who receive two different treatment approaches for foot deformities that affect walking. CMT is an inherited nerve condition that can cause muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and foot deformities. These changes often make walking difficult and can reduce independence and quality of life. Treatment options commonly include physical therapy alone or surgery to correct foot alignment followed by rehabilitation. However, it is not clear whether one approach leads to better long-term walking outcomes. The main question this study aims to answer is whether individuals who undergo functional foot surgery followed by rehabilitation experience different changes in walking ability over time compared with those who receive structured physical therapy alone. Researchers will compare walking performance between these two treatment groups over a period of up to two years. Walking ability will be evaluated using standardized walking tests and patient questionnaires. Participants included in this study are individuals with CMT-related foot deformities that affect walking and who received either surgery followed by rehabilitation or physical therapy alone. Researchers will analyze changes in walking ability over time and determine how many participants achieve meaningful improvement. The findings from this study may help clinicians and individuals with CMT better understand how different treatment strategies influence walking function over time.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07432035

Run by

Peking University Third Hospital

People needed

200

Starts

2026-02-11

Expected to finish

2028-02-10

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-25

Who can join

Age: 12 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Participants aged 12 years or older at the time of enrollment
• Genetically or clinically confirmed CMT, based on established diagnostic criteria
• Presence of foot deformity and/or gait impairment attributable to CMT, as determined by a treating clinician
• Ability to ambulate at least 10 meters, with or without assistive devices
• Medically eligible for either functional surgical intervention or structured physical therapy, as determined by the treating team
• Willingness and ability to participate in longitudinal follow-up assessments
• Provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Previous major foot or ankle surgery that substantially altered lower-limb biomechanics
• Presence of non-CMT-related neurological disorders affecting gait (eg, stroke, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis)
• Severe musculoskeletal conditions unrelated to CMT that limit walking ability (eg, advanced hip or knee osteoarthritis)
• Active lower-limb infection, ulceration, or acute injury at the time of enrollment
• Severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric condition precluding reliable participation
• Medical contraindications to surgery or exercise-based rehabilitation, when relevant
• Inability to complete baseline functional assessments or anticipated inability to complete follow-up

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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