Comparison of shock wave therapy and Low-dye tape method in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal issue that can cause severe pain and limit functionality. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and Low-dye taping in relieving pain and improving functionality in plantar fasciitis. The study included cases with a confirmed diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, which were randomly divided into two groups: Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and Low-dye taping. The subjects in the Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy group were treated with Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy, while the subjects in the Low-dye taping group were treated with Low-dye taping and sham Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy. Both treatments were administered in three sessions, once a week. Pain and functionality levels were evaluated using the Visual analog scala and Foot&Ankle Outcome Score. Evaluations were conducted pre- and post-treatment, and at the six-week follow-up. Seventy-two subjects completed the study, and at the end of the treatment and follow-up periods, both groups showed a significant decrease in pain levels (p≤0.001) and an increase in functionality levels (p≤0.001) compared to the beginning. However, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding pain and functionality levels at the end of the treatment and follow-up period (p > 0.05). Therefore, both Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and Low-dye taping treatments were found to have similar effects in treating plantar fasciitis. These findings can guide clinicians in choosing the most effective conservative treatment for plantar fasciitis patients.