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

NCT06846931 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AhiEvranUERH-FTR-EP-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic

Keywords

Rehabilitation; Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy; Low Intensity Laser; Plantar Fasciitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual Analog Scale

  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).

  Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Foot Fonction Index

  Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

• Plantar Fascia Thickness Measurement with Ultrasound Imaging

  Before treatment (Week 0) and after treatment (Week 12)

• Measurement of Balance Parameters in Biodex Balance Device

  Before treatment (Week 0), at the end of treatment (Week 3) and after treatment (Week 12)

Study Arms (3)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

By the same physiotherapist with more than 5 years of clinical experience, radial ESWT treatment with 2500 pulses, 10 Hz frequency, 2.5-3 bar pressure, is applied to the most painful point of the heel and surrounding soft tissues, plantar aponeurosis and Achilles tendon insertion area on the dorsum of the heel, once a week for a total of 3 sessions. Plantar fascia stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the membrane on the sole of the foot), gastrocsoleus stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the calf muscles), foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises (exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sole of the foot) are taught to the patients by the doctor and they are asked to perform them 2 times a day 10 times for a total of 3 weeks.

Other: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy; Other: EXERCİSE

Low Intensity Laser Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

A total of 28j (5.6jx5 points) are applied to the plantar fascia at 5 points on the heel by the same physiotherapist for 3 weeks, a total of 9 sessions (every other day) with the patient lying face down. Plantar fascia stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the membrane on the sole of the foot), gastrocsoleus stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the calf muscles), foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises (exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sole of the foot) are taught to the patients by the doctor and they are asked to perform them 2 times a day 10 times for a total of 3 weeks.

Other: Low Intensity Laser; Other: EXERCİSE

Exercise Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Exercise therapy is carried out by the patient for 3 weeks. Plantar fascia stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the membrane on the sole of the foot), gastrocsoleus stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the calf muscles), foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises (exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sole of the foot) are taught to the patients by the doctor and they are asked to perform them 2 times a day 10 times for a total of 3 weeks.

Other: EXERCİSE

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy OTHER

By the same physiotherapist with more than 5 years of clinical experience, radial ESWT treatment with 2500 pulses, 10 Hz frequency, 2.5-3 bar pressure, is applied to the most painful point of the heel and surrounding soft tissues, plantar aponeurosis and Achilles tendon insertion area on the dorsum of the heel, once a week for a total of 3 sessions.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Group

Low Intensity Laser OTHER

A total of 28j (5.6jx5 points) are applied to the plantar fascia at 5 points on the heel by the same physiotherapist for 3 weeks, a total of 9 sessions (every other day) with the patient lying face down.

Low Intensity Laser Group

EXERCİSE OTHER

Exercise therapy is carried out by the patient for 3 weeks. Plantar fascia stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the membrane on the sole of the foot), gastrocsoleus stretching exercises (exercises to stretch the calf muscles), foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercises (exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sole of the foot) are taught to the patients by the doctor and they are asked to perform them 2 times a day 10 times for a total of 3 weeks.

Exercise Group; Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Group; Low Intensity Laser Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ahi Evran University Education and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kirşehi̇r, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Exercise Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Three groups with a exercise control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2025
• First Posted: February 26, 2025
• Study Start: March 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 25, 2025
• Study Completion: December 25, 2025
• Last Updated: December 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)