Comparison of the Efficacy of Shock Wave Therapy and Laser Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic

• Registration Number: NCT06846931
• Lead Sponsor: Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital

Brief Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and low-intensity laser therapy on pain, functionality, plantar fascia thickness and balance in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Detailed Description

Plantar fasciitis is a pathology resulting from inflammation and/or degeneration of the plantar fascia of the sole of the foot. It affects about 10% of the population. It is one of the most common causes of chronic heel pain in the community and there is tenderness to palpation on the medial aspect of the heel bone. Patients complain of pain particularly with the first step in the morning and after rest. Mechanical overload and overuse can cause inflammation of the fascia. Diagnosis is usually made by clinical assessment and no further investigations are required.

In this study, 90 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled and participants will be randomised into 3 groups. The 1st group will be taught ESWT and home exercises for 1 session per week for 3 weeks and will be asked to do it every day. The 2nd group will receive 3 sessions of low intensity LASER per week for 3 weeks and will be asked to do home exercises every day. The 3rd group will only be taught home exercises and asked to do participants every day for 3 weeks. Visual analogue scale, foot function index, plantar fascia thickness measurement with USG and balance parameters will be measured at the beginning of the study, at the end of the treatment and at week 12.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-21
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-26
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-06
• Study Start: 2025-03-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-10
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-30
• Study Completion: 2025-12-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

• Male and female patients between 18 and 65 years of age, diagnosed with "plantar fasciitis" by anamnesis and physical examination
• Complaint duration of at least 3 months
• Patients who agree to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Complaint lasting less than 3 months
• Injection in the heel area in the last 6 months
• Use of physiotherapy modalities for the heel in the last 6 months
• Bilateral complaint
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy
• Epilepsy
• History of cardiac pacemaker
• Anticoagulant use
• History of systemic inflammatory disease
• History of lower extremity fracture or surgery
• Existing open wound in the heel area
• Patient hypersensitivity
• Systemic infection in the patient
• Uncontrolled hypertension in the patient
• Patient inability to cooperate
• History of neuromuscular disease affecting balance parameters
• Unwillingness of the patient to participate in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visual Analog Scale	Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)	On the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), pain intensity is usually rated from 0 for "no pain" to 10 for "the worst pain imaginable" (10 cm scale). Scoring intervals for pain intensity: \<3 mild pain, 3-6 moderate pain, \>6 severe pain. The VAS is a practical scale that is widely used in chronic pain worldwide. In this study it is evaluated as Visual Analog Scale-rest (VAS-I), Visual Analog Scale-first press (VAS-ib) and Visual Analog Scale-activity (VAS-a).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Foot Fonction Index	Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)	It consists of 23 items with 3 subscales: pain, disability and activity limitation. The pain subscale, with nine items, measures the level of foot pain in different situations. The nine item disability subscale measures the degree of difficulty in performing various functional activities due to foot problems. The five-item Activity limitation subscale assesses activity limitations due to foot problems.
Plantar Fascia Thickness Measurement with Ultrasound Imaging	Before treatment (Week 0) and after treatment (Week 12)	Ultrason görüntüleme PF tanısında, ayırıcı tanıda yumuşak doku patolojisinin dışlanmasında ve tedavinin takibinde kullanılabilir. Plantar fasya kalınlığının 4 mm'den fazla olması, Doppler modunda artmış kan akımı ve USG'de plantar fasyada hipoekoik alanlar PF tanısında önemlidir. Bu çalışmada, ayak bileği 90 derece dorsifleksiyonda iken yüzüstü pozisyonda longitudinal eksende kalınlık ölçülür. Fasya kalınlığı plantar fasyanın kalkaneal insersiyosunda ölçülecektir.
Measurement of Balance Parameters in Biodex Balance Device	Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)	In a study conducted by Ağırman et al in 2019, plantar fasciitis was found to increase fall risk and negatively affect balance in the population under 65 years of age. In this study, postural stability and fall risk (total score, anteroposterior, mediolateral and overall stability) are assessed using the Bioedex balance device.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University; 🇹🇷 Kirşehi̇r, Turkey