Comparing Two Protocols of Shock Wave Therapy for Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of two distinct shock wave therapy protocols and their impact on improving function and reducing pain in individuals with plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain that affects millions worldwide.

The key questions the study aims to address are:

How effective is each shock wave therapy protocol in enhancing functional ability without pain in patients with plantar fasciitis? Does either protocol offer a significant benefit over the other in terms of pain relief and functional improvement after a course of six treatment sessions?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and will engage in the study as follows:

Undergo six sessions of shock wave therapy with parameters specific to their assigned group.

Complete questionnaires assessing foot function and pain levels. Participate in evaluations before, during, and after the treatment to monitor their progress.

The three groups in the comparison are as follows:

Group A will receive shock wave therapy at a higher frequency and specific intensity, with a set number of impulses.

Group B will undergo therapy with a different frequency and intensity level but will receive the same number of impulses.

Group C, the control group, will receive a sham therapy, mirroring the treatment experience without the therapeutic effects to serve as a baseline for comparison.

The study is anticipated to delineate a more effective protocol for treating plantar fasciitis with shock wave therapy. The findings may contribute to enhanced treatment guidelines, potentially resulting in faster recovery times for patients. The participation of individuals in this research will offer valuable insights that could inform future therapeutic strategies for managing plantar fasciitis

Conditions

• Plantar Fasciitis

Interventions

DEVICE

High-Frequency ESWT

Participants will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy at a frequency of 15 Hz and intensity/pressure level 3, with a total of 1800 impulses per session. This intervention will be conducted once per week for six weeks, alongside a standard physical therapy regimen

DEVICE

Low-Frequency ESWT Group

"Participants will be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy at a frequency of 10 Hz and intensity/pressure level 4, also with a total of 1800 impulses per session. This protocol will be delivered weekly for six sessions, accompanied by standardized physical therapy exercises."

DEVICE

Sham ESWT Control Group

"Participants in this control group will undergo a sham ESWT procedure that mimics the treatment experience without actual therapeutic effects, ensuring the blinding of participants. This sham therapy will be scheduled once a week for six weeks, in conjunction with the same physical therapy program as the other groups."

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sharjah

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Fatima Alkalbani, Bsc · PRS User

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-12-20

Primary Completion

2024-01-05

Completion

2024-01-25