Heel Pain, Plantar Fasciitis
Conditions
Keywords
Neural Gliding, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Plantar Fascia, Foot Pain, Rehabilitation, Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief summary
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and may lead to pain, decreased foot function, impaired balance, and reduced quality of life. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy and exercise therapy are commonly used conservative treatment approaches. This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the additional effects of neural gliding exercises when combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and standard exercise treatment in individuals with plantar fasciitis.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of neural gliding exercises added to extracorporeal shock wave therapy and standard exercise treatment in individuals with plantar fasciitis. A total of 56 participants diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included in the study and randomly assigned into two groups. The first group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with a standard exercise program. The second group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy, the same standard exercise program, and additional neural gliding exercises. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was applied once weekly for five weeks, with 2000 impulses per session. Participants were instructed to perform their home exercise program twice daily for five weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity, foot function, muscle flexibility, balance performance, walking-related functional performance, muscle strength, heel raise performance, and physical activity level. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention period. The aim of this study was to determine whether adding neural gliding exercises to conventional treatment provides additional clinical benefit in individuals with plantar fasciitis.
Interventions
DEVICEExtracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy was applied once weekly for 5 weeks, with 2000 pulses per session.
BEHAVIORALStandard Exercise Program
Participants performed a standardized home exercise program twice daily for 5 weeks, 10 repetitions for each exercise session.
BEHAVIORALNeural Gliding Exercises
Participants performed neural gliding exercises as an adjunct to the standard exercise program for 5 weeks.
Sponsors
Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
Gulhane Training and Research Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel intervention groups and received treatment for five weeks.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosed with plantar fasciitis * Aged between 18 and 60 years * Male or female participants * Willing to participate voluntarily in the study * Able to comply with treatment and evaluation procedures
Exclusion criteria
* Lack of cooperation or inability to follow instructions * Presence of systemic or metabolic disease * Malignancy, osteoporosis, fracture, coagulation disorders, active infection, or pacemaker implantation * Pregnancy * Receiving any other treatment for plantar fasciitis during the study period * Having received treatment for plantar fasciitis within the last 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) | Baseline and Week 5 | Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before treatment and after 5 weeks of invertion. |
| Foot Function Index (FFI) | Baseline and Week 5 | Foot related pain, disabilitya and activity limitation will be evaluated using the Foot Function Index before treatment and after 5 weeks. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Muscle Shortness Assessment | Baseline and Week 5 |
| Single Leg Stance Test | Baseline and Week 5 |
| Heel Raise Test | Baseline and Week 5 |
| One Step Walking Test | Baseline and Week 5 |
| Muscle Strength Assessment | Baseline and Week 5 |
| International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) | Baseline and Week 5 |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed