Relationship Between Central Sensitization and Clinical Features in Plantar Fasciitis

NCT07640620 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-54230385-929-301089224
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 128
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain and is traditionally considered a mechanical musculoskeletal disorder. Recent evidence suggests that central sensitization may also contribute to pain in individuals with plantar fasciitis. This study aims to investigate the relationships between neurophysiological variables (pressure pain threshold, central sensitization, and pain intensity), psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression), ultrasonographic findings (plantar fascia thickness), and functional outcomes (foot function and quality of life) in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis

Keywords

plantar fasciitis; central sensitization; pain pressure threshold; kinesiophobia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Forearm Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)

  Pressure pain threshold is defined as the minimal pressure level that causes pain. The measurement will be applied twice for each region with a 1-minute interval, and the average of these applications will be recorded. A trial test will be conducted on the patient before the actual test. Pressure will be applied to selected points with a pressure algometer until pain is induced, and the test for that area will be terminated when the patient feels pain. The measurement will be taken from the calcaneus bone (the starting point of the plantar fascia) and from the forearm, which is a distant, painless, and unrelated area, using the Wagner manual pressure algometer (1 cm² probe-10 kg/20 lb). The reliability of the measurement in these areas has been demonstrated.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS

  Baseline

• Short Form-12 (SF-12)

  Baseline

• Foot Function Index

  Baseline

• Pain Catastrophizing Scale

  Baseline

• Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Plantar fasciitis group

Participants with clinically diagnosed plantar fasciitis.

Other: Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment; Other: Ultrasonographic Assessment

Healthy Volunteers (control group)

Age- and sex-matched healthy adults without plantar fasciitis.

Other: Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment; Other: Ultrasonographic Assessment

Interventions

Pressure Pain Threshold Assessment OTHER

Pressure pain threshold measurements will be performed using a pressure algometer to assess pain sensitivity.

Healthy Volunteers (control group); Plantar fasciitis group

Ultrasonographic Assessment OTHER

Ultrasonographic evaluation will be performed to measure plantar fascia thickness and assess plantar fascia morphology.

Healthy Volunteers (control group); Plantar fasciitis group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals applying to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic of Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Training and Research Hospital will be evaluated, and those who meet the inclusion criteria for the groups and sign the voluntary consent form will be included in the study.

You may qualify if:

• Be between the ages of 18-65
• Have unilateral heel pain that has been ongoing for at least 3 months, particularly worsening with the first few steps in the morning and increasing with weight-bearing activities throughout the day
• Have tenderness on palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle
• Have read and signed the volunteer consent form (VCF)

You may not qualify if:

• Being under 18 years old or over 65 years old
• Having a history of physical therapy, injection, radiation, or surgery targeting the plantar fascia within the last 6 months
• Calcaneus fracture, tumor, or cyst related to the plantar fascia
• Foot deformity (club foot, pes cavus, calcaneovalgus, etc.)
• Lumbosacral radiculopathy, tarsal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy
• Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout
• Foot and ankle osteoarthritis
• Presence of osteomyelitis or skin infection in the foot
• Systemic diseases such as kidney and liver failure, diabetes, peripheral arterial vascular disease
• Healthy Control
• Being completely healthy
• Being between the ages of 18 - 65
• Having read and signed the volunteer consent form (BGOF)
• Being under 18 or over 65 years old
• Having any acute or chronic illness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (7)

• Jayaseelan DJ, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Blattenberger T, Bonneau D. Altered Central Pain Processing in Patients With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil. 2021 Feb 16;30(5):812-817. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2020-0371.

  PMID: 33596547 BACKGROUND

• Nijs J, Malfliet A, Nishigami T. Nociplastic pain and central sensitization in patients with chronic pain conditions: a terminology update for clinicians. Braz J Phys Ther. 2023 May-Jun;27(3):100518. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2023.100518. Epub 2023 Jun 14. No abstract available.

  PMID: 37348359 BACKGROUND

• Plaza-Manzano G, Rios-Leon M, Martin-Casas P, Arendt-Nielsen L, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Ortega-Santiago R. Widespread Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity in Musculoskeletal and Nerve Trunk Areas as a Sign of Altered Nociceptive Processing in Unilateral Plantar Heel Pain. J Pain. 2019 Jan;20(1):60-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.08.001. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

  PMID: 30121357 BACKGROUND

• Cotchett M, Lennecke A, Medica VG, Whittaker GA, Bonanno DR. The association between pain catastrophising and kinesiophobia with pain and function in people with plantar heel pain. Foot (Edinb). 2017 Aug;32:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

  PMID: 28605621 BACKGROUND

• Bennell KL, Talbot RC, Wajswelner H, Techovanich W, Kelly DH, Hall AJ. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion. Aust J Physiother. 1998;44(3):175-180. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60377-9.

  PMID: 11676731 BACKGROUND

• Redmond AC, Crosbie J, Ouvrier RA. Development and validation of a novel rating system for scoring standing foot posture: the Foot Posture Index. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2006 Jan;21(1):89-98. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2005.08.002. Epub 2005 Sep 21.

  PMID: 16182419 BACKGROUND

• Sabir N, Demirlenk S, Yagci B, Karabulut N, Cubukcu S. Clinical utility of sonography in diagnosing plantar fasciitis. J Ultrasound Med. 2005 Aug;24(8):1041-8. doi: 10.7863/jum.2005.24.8.1041.

  PMID: 16040817 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar; Kinesiophobia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Feyza Nur Yücel

  Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Feyza Nur Yücel, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

2165422000; dr.fny28@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2026
• First Posted: June 11, 2026
• Study Start: April 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 20, 2026
• Last Updated: June 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)