Dry Needling Versus Conventional Physical Therapy in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis
• Interventions: Other: DN and conventional PT; Other: Conventional PT

• Registration Number: NCT02373618
• Lead Sponsor: Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to compare patient outcomes following treatment of plantar fasciitis with conventional physical therapy (stretching, strengthening, ultrasound, manual therapy, and cryotherapy) and conventional physical therapy plus dry needling. Physical therapists commonly use conventional physical therapy techniques and dry needling to treat plantar fasciitis, and this study is attempting to find out if the addition of dry needling to conventional physical therapy is more effective than conventional physical therapy alone.

Detailed Description

Patients with plantar fasciitis will be randomly assigned to receive 1-2 treatments per week for 4 weeks of either: (1) Dry Needling and conventional physical therapy, or the (2) Conventional physical therapy (stretching, strengthening, ultrasound, manual therapy, and cryotherapy)

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2015-02-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-02-23
• Study First Posted: 2015-02-27
• Study Start: 2015-12
• Status Verified: 2016-07
• Primary Completion: 2017-05-17
• Study Completion: 2017-05-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-05-22
• Last Update Posted: 2017-05-23

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 108

Inclusion Criteria

1. Report of at least 3 months of heel pain

2. Patient has not had physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, or injections for plantar heel pain in the least 4 weeks.

3. Diagnosis of plantar heel pain with ALL of the following positive clinical signs:

   • "First---step" pain upon weight bearing in the morning OR after sitting for a period of time
   • Pain localized over the medial calcaneal tubercle
   • Increased pain with extended walking OR standing >15 minutes

4. Plantar heel pain greater than or equal to 2/10 (NPRS 0-10 Scale)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: hypertension, infection, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic ischemia, edema, severe varicosities, tumor, metabolic disease, prolonged steroid use, fracture, RA, osteoporosis, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.

2. History of previous surgery to the tibia, fibula, ankle joint, or foot.

3. History of arthrosis or arthritis of the ankle and/or foot.

4. History of significant ankle and/or foot instability.

5. Two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following:

   • Muscle weakness involving a major lower extremity muscle group
   • Diminished lower extremity patella or Achilles tendon reflexes
   • Diminished / absent sensation in any lower extremity dermatome

6. Involvement in litigation or worker's compensation regarding their foot pain.

7. Any condition that might contraindicate the use of electro---needling

8. The patient is pregnant

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Experimental: DN and Conventional PT	DN and conventional PT	-
Active Comparator: Conventional PT	Conventional PT	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Pain Intensity (NPRS)	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months
Change in First Step Pain in the Morning (NPRS)	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months
Change in Activity Pain (NPRS)	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	Average pain level during standing and walking.
Change in Foot Functional Index Total	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	3 questions each worth 0-10 points with maximum score of 30 points possible
Change in Foot Functional Index Disability	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	9 questions each worth 0-10 points with maximum score of 90 points possible
Change in Lower Extremity Functional Scale	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	20 questions each worth 0-4 points with maximum score of 80 points possible. Do not convert to a 20 questions, each worth 0-4 points with maximum score of 80 points possible
Change in Foot Functional Index Activity Limitation	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	3 questions each worth 0-10 points with maximum score of 30 points possible
Change in Foot Functional Index Pain	Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months	5 questions each worth 0-10 points with maximum score of 50 points possible.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Medicine Intake (Frequency of pain medication)	Baseline, 3 months	Frequency of pain medication, including over-the-counter or narcotics for plantar fasciitis
Change in Global Rating of Change Score	1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture; 🇺🇸 Montgomery, Alabama, United States