Shock Wave Therapy Versus Low Level Laser Therapy in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Plantar Fascitis
• Interventions: Other: conventional therapy; Other: low level laser therapy; Other: shock wave therapy

• Registration Number: NCT05867888
• Lead Sponsor: Cairo University

Brief Summary

Both shock wave therapy and low level laser therapy in plantar fasciitis are effective in improvement of such cases without any side effects but there are no previously published studies on the use of shock wave therapy versus low level laser therapy in plantar fasciitis and, hence, evidence of its acceptability and effectiveness compared with each other remains to be established.

Detailed Description

Plantar fasciitis is a result of degenerative irritation of the plantar fascia origin at the medial calcaneal tuberosity of the heel as well as the surrounding perifascial structures, it is a common problem accounting for approximately one million patient visits per year, it is often an overuse injury. As a result tight gastrocnemius, soleus, and/or other posterior leg muscles have also been commonly found in patients with this condition.

Shock wave therapy is thought to provide long lasting analgesia and stimulate the healing process, Low level laser therapy has been used to relieve pain caused by plantar fasciitis, also stretching of the shortened and contracted plantar flexors may positively influence an individual's functional activities of daily living and decrease the risk of injury.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-04-29
• Study Start: 2023-05-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-05-10
• Study First Posted: 2023-05-22
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-10
• Study Completion: 2023-10-10
• Status Verified: 2024-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-02-20
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 75

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age ranges from 40-60 years old.
2. Both genders will be included.
3. Unilateral plantar fasciitis.
4. Duration of symptoms more than 4 weeks.
5. Positive Windlass test and negative Tinel and calcaneus squeeze tests.
6. Patients will be classified according to their BMI (18.5 - 24.9) kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

1. Open wound, infection in plantar surface of foot.
2. History of foot surgery.
3. History of trauma or fracture in foot or ankle.
4. Neuropathic pain as diabetes mellitus.
5. Peripheral vascular disease.
6. Calcaneal stress fracture or show evidence of a foreign body or tumor of the affected heel.
7. Previously suffered a rupture or surgery of the plantar fascia. Existing or prior osteomyelitis of the involved calcaneus.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Experimental group 1	conventional therapy	Shock wave therapy + Conventional physical therapy.
Experimental group 2	low level laser therapy	Low level laser therapy + Conventional physical therapy.
Control group	conventional therapy	conventional physical therapy program (Instructions, Ice application, Deep tissue massage, Stretching exercises, Joint mobilization and isometric exercises).
Experimental group 2	conventional therapy	Low level laser therapy + Conventional physical therapy.
Experimental group 1	shock wave therapy	Shock wave therapy + Conventional physical therapy.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Assess the change in pain pressure threshold	Before treatment and after 6 weeks treatment	Pressure algometry will be used to evaluate the pain pressure threshold for the two predetermined locations on the affected leg: gastrocnemius (middle point over the muscle belly) and soleus (center point of the muscle belly 10 cm above the Achilles tendon). The participant will speak up at the point where the pressure evoke a painful sensation. This process will be repeated 3 times in the same manner, and three measurements will be recorded at the same point on the plantar fascia. An average of the three readings will be recorded. Higher algometer scores indicate greater pressure threshold, therefore less tenderness. Lower algometer scores indicate less pressure threshold, thus more tenderness.
Assess the change in foot functional disability	Before treatment and after 6 weeks treatment	Foot functional disability will be assessed by foot and ankle ability measure questionnaire (FAAM). Higher scores on the questionnaire indicate a higher level of physical functioning and lower scores on the questionnaire indicate a lower level of physical functioning.
Assess the change in pain intensity level	Before treatment and after 6 weeks treatment	The visual analogue scale (VAS) is a widely utilized pain intensity level assessment instrument in patients with plantar fasciitis. The visual analogue scale (VAS) is typically composed of a horizontal line from zero (minimum value) to 10 (maximum value) where zero signifies (no pain) and 10 signifies (worst pain) one can imagine.
Assess the change in range of ankle motion	Before treatment and after 6 weeks treatment	Ankle range of motion (ROM) will be measured by using digital goniometer (ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ranges will be measured). It can monitor the progress of intervention.
Assess the change in ankle stability	Before treatment and after 6 weeks treatment	The Human Assessment Computer (HUMAC) Balance System will be used in the current study to assess limits of stability of ankle joint.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Reham; 🇪🇬 Giza, Egypt