Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Predictive Measurement for Windlass Change in Length and Selected Treatment Outcomes in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Published on: March 1, 2024
Effect of Different Physiotherapeutic Interventions in Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
Sona Raj1, Chanchal Sharma1, Habiba Sundus2
1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Jaipur Engineering College and Research Centre, Jaipur, India.
Background:
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a prevalent cause of heel pain and is commonly managed through conservative physiotherapeutic interventions. Despite widespread clinical use, the relative effectiveness of various modalities remains unclear.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of different physiotherapeutic interventions on pain and function in adults with plantar fasciitis through systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2020-May 2025) for RCTs assessing physiotherapy-based interventions for PF. Primary outcomes included pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) and function (Foot Function Index [FFI]). Meta-analyses were performed using random-effect models, and the GRADE framework was applied to assess evidence certainty.
Results:
Twenty-one RCTs (n = 1196) were included. Interventions included extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), kinesiology taping, laser therapy, manual therapy, and needling techniques. At 1-month follow-up, physiotherapy yielded a non-significant trend towards pain reduction (SMD = -0.390, 95% CI: -0.888 to 0.109, p = 0.125; I2 = 88.7%). Functional outcomes showed no significant improvement (SMD = 0.000, 95% CI: -0.195 to 0.195, p = 1.000). Heterogeneity was high, and overall evidence quality was rated low.
Conclusion:
Physiotherapeutic interventions may modestly reduce pain in the short term but show limited impact on functional improvement in plantar fasciitis. ESWT and kinesiology taping appear most promising. Further high-quality, long-term studies are warranted to clarify their clinical utility.
