Effects of Foot-Core Strengthening and Sensorimotor Re-training With Routine Physical Therapy on Pain, Function, and Plantar Pressure in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis.

NCT07703111 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UBS/ERB/26/04/029
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of foot core strengthening and sensorimotor re-training, each combined with routine physical therapy, on pain, functional ability, and plantar pressure in patients with Plantar Fasciitis. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving foot core strengthening with routine physical therapy and the other receiving sensorimotor re-training with routine physical therapy. The study will evaluate which intervention is more effective in reducing pain, improving function, and normalizing plantar pressure distribution.

Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis

Keywords

Plantar Fasciitis; Foot Core Strengthening; Sensorimotor Training; Plantar Pressure; Foot Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their heel pain during first steps in the morning and during activity. It is a reliable tool to measure pain severity in patients with Plantar Fasciitis.

  Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Plantar Pressure Distribution

  Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention

• Foot Function

  Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Group A: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive foot core strengthening exercises targeting intrinsic foot muscles along with routine physical therapy including stretching, manual therapy, and physical modalities for management of Plantar Fasciitis.

Other: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy

Group B: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive sensorimotor and proprioceptive training along with routine physical therapy including stretching, manual therapy, and physical modalities for management of Plantar Fasciitis.

Other: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy

Interventions

Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy OTHER

Participants will receive a structured foot core strengthening program targeting intrinsic foot muscles, including exercises such as short foot exercise, toe curls, toe spreading, and marble pickup. These exercises aim to improve medial longitudinal arch stability and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. In addition, routine physical therapy will be provided, including plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius-soleus stretching, manual therapy techniques, and appropriate physical modalities. Sessions will be conducted 3-5 times per week for a duration of 4-8 weeks, along with a prescribed home exercise program.

Group A: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy

Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy OTHER

Participants will receive a structured sensorimotor re-training program focusing on proprioception, balance, and neuromuscular control. Exercises will include single-leg stance, balance training on stable and unstable surfaces, wobble board exercises, and gait training. Routine physical therapy will also be provided, including plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius-soleus stretching, manual therapy techniques, and appropriate physical modalities. Sessions will be conducted 3-5 times per week for a duration of 4-8 weeks, along with a prescribed home exercise program.

Group B: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 35-60 Years Sharp and worsen pain with the first few steps out of bed in morning. Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis of at least three months duration -

You may not qualify if:

• History of ankle and foot surgery Diagnosis for Peripheral neuropathy, Tarsal tunnel syndrome Corticosteroid injection into heel within the last three months. Diagnosed neurological and rheumatological disease calcaneal fractures Pregnant Women-

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Hamstra-Wright KL, Huxel Bliven KC, Bay RC, Aydemir B. Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis in Physically Active Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Health. 2021 May-Jun;13(3):296-303. doi: 10.1177/1941738120970976. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

  PMID: 33530860 BACKGROUND

• Kamonseki DH, Goncalves GA, Yi LC, Junior IL. Effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening exercises for the foot and hip in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial. Man Ther. 2016 Jun;23:76-82. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.10.006. Epub 2015 Oct 30.

  PMID: 26654252 BACKGROUND

• Scherger JE. Consider Muscle Strengthening for Plantar Fasciitis. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Oct 1;98(7):407. No abstract available.

  PMID: 30252428 BACKGROUND

• Tahririan MA, Motififard M, Tahmasebi MN, Siavashi B. Plantar fasciitis. J Res Med Sci. 2012 Aug;17(8):799-804.

  PMID: 23798950 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fasciitis, Plantar

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases

Study Officials

• Nabeela Dawood

  Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Muqaddas Muqadds

CONTACT

+92 306 5821079; mmuqadas614@gmail.com

Nabeela Dawood

CONTACT

+92 331 5337445; nabeela.dawood@ubas.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study in which no masking is applied. Both participants and care providers are aware of the assigned interventions, including foot core strengthening with routine physical therapy and sensorimotor re-training with routine physical therapy. Outcome assessments will be conducted using standardized tools; however, no blinding of assessors is implemented.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: July 28, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 20, 2026
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)