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.
This randomized, prospective, single-blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and whole body vibration therapy in patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. A total of 60 patients aged between 18 and 65 years were included in the final analysis. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied once weekly for a total of five sessions. The second group received whole body vibration therapy three times per week for five weeks. Both groups followed the same standardized home exercise program during the treatment period. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at the ninth week. The primary outcome measure was functional status assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI). Secondary outcome measures included pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and the Roles and Maudsley score.The aim of this study is to determine and compare the clinical effectiveness of ESWT and whole body vibration therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was applied once weekly for a total of five sessions to the affected heel.
Whole body vibration therapy was applied three times per week for five weeks using a vibration platform.
Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
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.
Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain severity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain.
Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS)
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better function.
Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks
Roles and Maudsley Score
Clinical outcome assessed using the Roles and Maudsley score.Roles and Maudsley Score (RM score), a 4-point ordinal scale ranging from 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor). Lower scores indicate better clinical outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 5 weeks and 9 weeks
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