CompletedNot Applicable

Plantar Heel Pain: Multisegment Foot Motion and Muscle Function, FFI Translation, and Evaluation of Treatments

Thailand84 participantsStarted 2017-08-01

Plain-language summary

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition of plantar heel pain (PHP) that leads to pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life, especially among active adults aged 25 to 65. Understanding the biomechanical alterations in foot motion among individuals with PF is essential to inform targeted treatment strategies and prevent symptom chronicity. However, research exploring detailed multi-segment foot motion changes in this population remains limited. Assessing foot function is a key component in understanding symptom development and treatment outcomes. The Foot Function Index (FFI) is an internationally recognized, reliable, and valid questionnaire used to measure foot pain and disability. To facilitate its use in Thai populations and enable cross-cultural comparisons, it is crucial to translate and validate the FFI into Thai. Although exercise interventions such as strengthening and stretching are widely used to manage PHP, evidence regarding their relative effectiveness on pain reduction and gait improvement is inconclusive. Rigorous evaluation of these programs is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for physical therapy in this population. Study 1: Comparative Study of Gait and Foot Segment Motion Between Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis and Healthy Controls This study aimed to compare multi-segment foot motion during walking between individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF) and healthy controls. A matched case-control design was used, with gait data collected via a 3D motion capture system and analyzed using the Oxford Foot Model. Study 2: Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of the Foot Function Index (FFI-Th) This study aimed to translate the Foot Function Index (FFI) into Thai (FFI-Th) and evaluate its psychometric properties individuals with plantar foot complaints. Study 3: Effects of Strengthening and Stretching Exercise Programs on Pain and Gait in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical therapy interventions-specifically strengthening versus stretching exercise programs-on pain and temporospatial gait parameters in patients with PF.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Study 1: Comparative Study of Gait and Foot Segment Motion Between Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis and Healthy Controls Inclusion Criteria (PF Group): * Aged 20-80 years * Plantar fasciitis (PF) symptoms for at least one month * Pain or tenderness at the medial calcaneal tubercle or proximal plantar fascia * At least one of the following symptoms: * Morning pain (first steps in the morning) * Pain after prolonged sitting * Pain during weight-bearing activities Exclusion Criteria (PF Group): * Other painful conditions in the lower extremity or back * History of rheumatoid arthritis * Neurological or vascular diseases * Leg length discrepancy \>1 cm * Severe pain preventing walking Inclusion Criteria (Healthy Controls): * No current or previous history of PF symptoms * No foot pain Exclusion Criteria (Healthy Controls): • Same as those listed for the PF group Study 2: Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of the Foot Function Index (FFI-Th) Inclusion Criteria (Individuals with plantar problems) * Aged 20-80 years * Experienced plantar foot pain or tenderness for at least one month (at rest or during weight-bearing activities) * Able to read and communicate in Thai * No uncorrected visual impairments Exclusion Criteria (Individuals with plantar problems) * Pain in other areas of the lower extremities * History of systemic inflammatory diseases * History of neurological diseases * Received any treatment during the study period Study 3: Effects of Str…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Worst Pain

Timeframe: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up

Morning Pain

Timeframe: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03161314

SponsorMahidol University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2019-02-01

Results submitted2025-05-26

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Plantar Fasciitis trials