EFFECTS OF LOCAL VIBRATION COMBINED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of local vibration combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy alone for plantar fasciitis. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial including 34 participants with a mean age of 37.5 years. Participants were randomly allocated to a group treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with local vibration (ESWT-LV group) or a group treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy alone (ESWT-alone group). All participants in each group underwent 2 treatment sessions weekly for 5 weeks. Thickness of the plantar fascia, plantar pain, and foot function were measured using ultrasonography, numerical rating scale for pain, and Foot Function Index, respectively, at baseline and at the end of the 5-week intervention. RESULTS: Significant improvements were measured in both groups in the thickness of the plantar fascia, numerical rating scale, and Foot Function Index values (p < 0.05). In addition, the thickness of the plantar fascia and pain was significantly more decreased in the ESWT-LV group than in the ESWT-alone group (p < 0.05). However, the differences between groups in Foot Function Index values were not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local vibration combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. LAY ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of local vibration combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared with extracorporeal shock wave therapy alone for treatment of plantar fasciitis. The study included 34 participants with a mean age of 37.5 years. The thickness of the plantar fascia, plantar pain, and foot function were measured using ultrasonography, a numerical rating scale, and Foot Function Index respectively, at the beginning and end of a 5-week intervention. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: 1 received extracorporeal shock wave therapy and local vibration treatment (ESWT-LV group), while the other received extracorporeal shock wave therapy alone (ESWT-alone group). Both groups underwent 2 treatment sessions weekly for 5 weeks. The results showed significant improvements in the thickness of the plantar fascia, pain level, and foot function in both groups. However, the thickness of the plantar fascia and pain were significantly more decreased in the ESWT-LV group compared with ESWT alone, while the improvement in Foot Function Index values did not differ significantly between groups. In conclusion, local vibration combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis.