The Role of Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Foam Rolling in Managing Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 56
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study compares instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and foam roller therapy in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Both groups receive structured exercises. The study evaluates changes in pain, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and functional ability after treatment to determine which intervention is more effective for improving symptoms and physical function.
Detailed Description
This randomized comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and foam roller therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by heel pain and reduced functional mobility, often associated with restricted ankle dorsiflexion and plantar fascia tightness.
Participants diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were recruited from a physiotherapy outpatient department and randomly allocated into two intervention groups. Group A received instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied to the plantar fascia and surrounding soft tissues along with a structured exercise program. Group B received foam roller therapy targeting the plantar fascia region in addition to the same exercise protocol. Both interventions were administered over a defined treatment period under physiotherapist supervision.
The study aimed to compare the effects of these interventions on pain intensity, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and functional disability related to plantar fasciitis. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The findings of this study may help identify effective physiotherapy interventions for improving pain and functional outcomes in individuals with plantar fasciitis.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Age between 18 and 45 years
- •Pain on palpation at the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus
- •Pain during the first steps in the morning that decreases after walking
- •Symptoms present for more than one month
- •Both male and female participants were included
Exclusion Criteria
- •History of foot surgery
- •Inflammatory rheumatic disease
- •Previous steroid injection
- •Radiculopathy affecting the lower limb
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time Frame: Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured in degrees using a goniometer
Time Frame: Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Ankle range of motion will be measured in degrees using a universal goniometer.
Health-related quality of life measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire
Time Frame: Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, which evaluates physical and mental health domains. Each domain is scored separately and then transformed to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate better health status and quality of life.
Foot pain and disability measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI)
Time Frame: Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Foot function and disability related to plantar fasciitis were measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire. Each item of the Foot Function Index (FFI) is rated on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain or difficulty and 10 indicates the worst pain or extreme difficulty. Scores for the answered items in each subscale are summed and divided by the maximum possible score for that subscale, and the result is multiplied by 100 to obtain a percentage score (FFI Score = Sum of item scores / Maximum possible score × 100). The scores range from 0% to 100%, where 0% represents no pain or disability and 100% represents maximum pain and disability. Higher scores indicate greater pain, functional limitation, and disability related to foot problems. A total FFI score can be calculated by averaging the three subscale scores: Pain, Disability, and Activity Limitation.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
DR. ZAHEEN AHMED IQBAL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies