Effects of Deep Transverse Friction Massage and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Plantar Fasciitis.

NCT07576192 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0501
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of study is to compare the pain intensity, disability and functional capacity by Deep Transverse Friction Massage and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Conditions

Plantar Fascitis

Keywords

friction; massage; Pain Measurement; Plantar Fascitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was employed to evaluate pain intensity for all participants in both groups prior to and following the 8-week intervention program. This is 11-point (0-10) self-reporting tool is presented as a 10-cm horizontal line where 0 indicates no pain, 1-3 signifies mild pain, 4-6 represents moderate pain, and 7-10 denotes severe pain. The maximum value corresponds to the worst pain, while the minimum value indicates the absence of pain.

  6th week

• Foot Function Index (FFI)

  A Foot Function Index (FFI) was developed to measure the impact of foot pathology on function in terms of pain, disability and activity restriction. The FFI is a self-administered index consisting of 23 items divided into 3 sub-scales. Both total and sub-scale scores are produced.

  6th week

• 6 min walk test (6MWT)

  used to determine functional ability. The individual walked swiftly for six minutes along a 100-foot hallway, recording the distance travelled in total. If a person with plantar fasciitis has pain or discomfort in the foot during the test, it can suggest the presence of the condition. During the 6-minute walk test, look for indicators of plantar fasciitis as follows.

  6th week

Study Arms (2)

DEEP TRANSVERSE FRICTION MASSAGE

EXPERIMENTAL

Deep friction massage (DFM), also known as cross friction massage, is a specific connective tissue massage

Other: DEEP TRANSVERSE FRICTION MASSAGE

INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES

EXPERIMENTAL

ASTM techniques involve the use of specialized instruments to manipulate soft tissue structures. These instruments are designed to provide an efficient detection of soft tissue dysfunction and accurate application of force during treatment.

Other: INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES

Interventions

DEEP TRANSVERSE FRICTION MASSAGE OTHER

12 sessions total (approx.1 and half month) and 2 sessions per week with mild to moderate manual pressure. 15 - 20 min per session will be given to patient for 6 weeks

DEEP TRANSVERSE FRICTION MASSAGE

INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES OTHER

• 12 sessions total, (approximately 1 and half month) and 2 sessions per week. Low to moderate pressure with tool will applied for 15 - 20 min per session for 6 weeks

INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Plantar fasciitis during pregnancy
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant females Second trimester 12th to 34th week
• Multiparous
• Plantar fasciitis diagnoses with Windlass test
• NPRS pain level 3 to 7

You may not qualify if:

• History of ankle and foot fractures
• Surgery in previous 6 months
• Neurologic deficit High risk pregnancy
• Previous manual therapy interventions for the foot region
• Those who previously received systemic or local steroid injection within 3 months or locally injected with any other material
• Dermatological disease i.e; injury, trauma, foot ulcer over the foot

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah medical center

Lahore, Punjab Province, 6400, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Sahr ME, Grünebaum A, Positano RC, Nwawka OK, Chervenak FA, Positano RG. Common foot and ankle disorders in pregnancy: the role of diagnostic ultrasound. Journal of perinatal medicine. 2024;52(7):674-87

  BACKGROUND

• Foraldy J, Jehosua S, Momole A, Tumewah R, Runtuwene T, Wariki WMV. Plantar Fascia Thickness Difference Between Pregnant and Nulliparous in Indonesia. Journal of Medical Ultrasound. 2024;32(4):323-8.

  BACKGROUND

• Khairy E, Esmail A, Amin FS, Qudahh MA, Zahran MR. Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique versus Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Patients with Chronic Plantar Fasciitis. Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine. 2024;96(1):2570-7.

  BACKGROUND

• Pisirici P, Cil ET, Coskunsu DK, Saylı U, Subasi F. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization in chronic plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2022;112(6).

  BACKGROUND

• Gala M, Kulkarni P, Kumar A. Comparison of immediate effect of plantar fascia release by roller massager and transverse friction massage on hamstring flexibility in desk job workers. Int J Physiother Res. 2021;9:3954-9.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• sobia ghafoor, MSPT-OM

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

imran amjad

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 4, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)