Comparison of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Whole Body Vibration Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis

NCT07463794 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IMU-EC-945-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that can lead to functional limitation and decreased quality of life. Various conservative treatment modalities are used in its management. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and whole body vibration therapy in patients with plantar fasciitis. The study is designed as a randomized, prospective, single-blind clinical trial. Clinical outcomes will be evaluated using pain and functional assessment scales before and after treatment.

Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis; Calcaneal Spur

Keywords

Plantar Fasciitis; Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy; ESWT; Whole Body Vibration Therapy; Foot Function Index; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Foot Function Index (FFI)

  Foot Function Index (FFI), a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 23 items in three subscales (pain, disability, and activity limitation), with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate worse foot-related disability.

  Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks

• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS)

  Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks

• Roles and Maudsley Score

  Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received extracorporeal shock wave therapy once weekly for five sessions.

Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Whole Body Vibration Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received whole body vibration therapy three times per week for five weeks.

Device: Whole Body Vibration Therapy

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy DEVICE

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was applied once weekly for a total of five sessions to the affected heel.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Whole Body Vibration Therapy DEVICE

Whole body vibration therapy was applied three times per week for five weeks using a vibration platform.

Whole Body Vibration Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Clinically diagnosed plantar fasciitis
• Heel pain lasting at least 4 weeks
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of inflammatory rheumatic diseases
• Previous foot or ankle surgery
• Major trauma to the foot or ankle
• Neurological or vascular disorders of the lower extremities
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Corticosteroid injection to the foot within the last 3 months
• Physical therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or whole body vibration therapy within the last 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, 34245, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, et al. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2008;40(6):425-430. doi:10.2340/jrm.v55.12405.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar; Heel Spur

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases; Exostoses; Hyperostosis; Bone Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Berrin Hüner

  Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups to receive either extracorporeal shock wave therapy or whole body vibration therapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2026
• First Posted: March 11, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 20, 2026
• Study Completion: March 20, 2026
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)