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Abstract
Objectives
To test the feasibility of a clinical trial comparing the effects of transverse friction massage (TFM) and a home exercise programme (HEP) and a HEP alone in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Design
Prospective, non-blinded, different subject design experimental pilot study.
Setting
Physiotherapy clinic within a community health centre clinic.
Participants
Twenty-four participants (14 females) aged 43–77 years (X = 58), with plantar fasciitis of greater than 4 weeks duration.
Interventions
Six treatment sessions of TFM in the first 4 weeks for the experimental group together with a HEP for 6 weeks. The control group was given a HEP only for 6 weeks.
Main outcome measures
Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS) and a Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) measured on assessment and every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.
Results
Subjects demonstrated a reduction in both outcome measures for pain at the end of the 6-week treatment (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The outcome measures were found to be suitable for subjects with plantar fasciitis and the methodology appropriate for the research design chosen.
Conclusion
This study has demonstrated the feasibility of a clinical trial for the treatment of plantar fasciitis with TFM and a HEP. A retrospective power calculation suggests that recruitment of more than 274 patients would be required to achieve an 80% chance of a clinically significant difference being detected between these two groups (α = 0.05). It is recommended that another pilot study with a longer follow-up is carried out first prior to any full-scale studies.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Prof Michael Traynor, University of Middlesex and Dr Elaine Atkins, Orthopaedic Medicine Programme Leader for their guidance and support.