This prospective, single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial will compare physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction with standardized video-based exercise instruction in adults with plantar fasciitis. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either face-to-face exercise training by an orthopedic physician or access to a standardized exercise video via QR code/web link. The exercise content will be identical in both groups; only the method of instruction will differ. The primary outcome will be the change in the Foot Function Index total/index score from baseline to 3 months. Secondary outcomes will include pain score, Foot Function Index subscales, exercise knowledge, exercise adherence, education time, video viewing status, additional treatment requirement, and patient satisfaction.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 to 70 years
* Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
* Plantar heel pain lasting for at least 3 months
* Heel pain that is most prominent with the first steps in the morning or after rest
* Tenderness on palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle
* Baseline heel pain score of 4 or higher on a 0-10 numerical rating scale
* Functional capacity to perform the prescribed exercises
* Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer to view the exercise video
* Ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous foot or ankle surgery on the affected side
* History of foot fracture, foot tumor, advanced neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy, or tarsal tunnel syndrome
* Corticosteroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, or other interventional treatment for plantar fasciitis within the last 6 months
* Inflammatory arthritis or systemic rheumatologic disease affecting the foot
* Severe knee or hip osteoarthritis limiting exercise performance
* Severe cognitive impairment preventing participation or completion of questionnaires
* Pregnancy
* Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol
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
1
Change in Foot Function Index Total/Index Score From Baseline to 3 Months
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 months after randomization