Effect of Phonophoresis Versus Iontophoresis in the Treatment of Perimenopausal Plantar Fasciitis

NCT07043699 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/005763
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of phonophoresis versus iontophoresis on plantar fasciitis in perimenopausal women.

Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of pain

  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain levels in each woman in both groups before and after the treatment program. Pain scores were determined by measuring the distance in millimeters on a 10-cm line between the "no pain" anchor and the patient's mark, yielding a score from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicated greater pain intensity. Recommended cut points were: no pain (0-4 mm), mild pain (5-44 mm), moderate pain (45-74 mm), and severe pain (75-100 mm)

  8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Measurement of the level of disability

  8 weeks

• Assessment of Dorsi flexion Range of Motion (ROM)

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Phonophoresis

EXPERIMENTAL

It consisted of 21 perimenopausal women. Each patient in this group received phonophoresis, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks.

Other: Phonophoresis

Iontophoresis

EXPERIMENTAL

It consisted of 21 perimenopausal women. Each patient in this group received iontophoresis, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks.

Other: Iontophoresis

Interventions

Phonophoresis OTHER

Each woman in the first group received phonophoresis treatment. The procedure was performed using diclofenac sodium gel. Treatment was administered three times per week over a period of eight weeks. Ultrasound was applied at an intensity of 1 W/cm² for 8 minutes using a pulsed mode at a frequency of 1 MHz.

Phonophoresis

Iontophoresis OTHER

Each woman in the second group received iontophoresis treatment using a diclofenac sodium solution (Voltaren ampoules). The solution was applied under the cathode (drug delivery electrode). The iontophoresis leads were connected, and the current intensity was adjusted based on individual tolerance, ranging between 1 and 4 mA, for a duration of 20 minutes. The negative electrode was placed on the medial side of the calcaneal tubercle (origin), while the positive electrode was positioned on the forefoot. Treatment was administered three times per week over a period of eight weeks.

Iontophoresis

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 51 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• All participants were perimenopausal women who had been suffering from plantar fasciitis (PF) for at least one month.
• Patients reported heel pain during the first step in the morning, while bearing weight, and after walking or running.
• Diagnosis was confirmed using the Windlass test, Tarsal Tunnel test, and tenderness at the anterior medial heel.
• Participants were aged between 50 and 51 years and experienced menstrual irregularities.
• Their body mass index (BMI) was greater than 30 kg/m².
• They had not received any medical treatment for plantar fascia pain or collagen supplements.
• None of the participants were on hormonal therapy.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension.
• Those diagnosed with neurological disorders.
• Individuals who had undergone previous foot surgeries, experienced burns, or suffered severe foot trauma.
• Participation in any other exercise training program during the study period.
• History of skeletal deformities.
• Presence of knee or ankle replacements.
• Presence of ankle plates, screws, or nails.
• Notable differences in lower limb length.
• History of foot fractures that resulted in deformities.
• Presence of infective foot conditions, dermatitis, or tumors.
• Impaired circulation in the lower extremities.
• Corticosteroid injection to the heel within the past year.
• Congenital foot deformities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cairo University

Giza, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar

Interventions

Phonophoresis; Iontophoresis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Drug Administration Routes; Drug Therapy; Therapeutics; Electrophoresis; Electrochemical Techniques; Investigative Techniques

Study Officials

• Hala Mohamed Hanfi Emara, PhD

  Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY CHAIR

• Hossam Eldin Hossam Eldin Hussein Kamel, PhD

  Professor, Al-Azhar university

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2025
• First Posted: June 29, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 16, 2025
• Last Updated: June 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

EG (1)