Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Plantar Fasciitis

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Plantar Fascitis

Treatments: Other: Stretching exercise; Other: Dry needling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05588349

ChineseUHK2022

Details and patient eligibility

About

Plantar fasciitis could lead to pain, disability and impaired balance. Dry needling that targets myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) has been shown to be beneficial in reducing pain, improving range of motion and function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Previous systematic review suggested a positive effect of dry needling on improving pain intensity and pain-related disability in patients with plantar heel pain (Llurda-Almuzara et al., 2021). However, the generalisability of the result is limited by small number of trials and heterogenicity in the dry needling application. Also, there is currently no evidence on its effect on dynamic balance and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. This randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling on pain, pain-related disability, dynamic balance and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Full description

Twenty participants aged 18 - 65 years with plantar fasciitis will be recruited and randomized to (1) dry needing and stretching exercise group or (2) stretching exercise group, receiving three treatment sessions over three weeks. The primary outcome measure will be numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and the secondary outcome measures will be Chinese Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) measured at baseline and week 4.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age of 18-65 years
• Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in accordance with the clinical guidelines of the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• Pain intensity of a minimum score of 5 on 11-point NPRS
• Presence of trigger points of the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles or both
• History of plantar heel pain for over 1 month

Exclusion criteria

• Needle allergy or phobia
• Bleeding disorders or severe vascular disease
• Pregnancy
• Cancer
• Fracture or surgery in the foot region or leg
• Infection
• Dermatological disease in the area of needling
• History of injection therapy in the heel during the previous three months
• Cognitive impairment
• Neurological disorders affecting balance

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Dry needling + stretching exercise

Experimental group

Description:

After locating the MTrPs, hand hygiene of the physiotherapist will be done and the needling site will be disinfected with alcohol swab. 0.30 x 50 mm disposable stainless-steel needles (DongBang Acupuncture Inc., Boryeong, Korea) will be used. The needle will be inserted into the muscle and pistoned in an up-and-down fashion using the "fast in and fast out" technique in order to provoke the local twitch response (LTR). This will be repeated until either the LTRs are exhausted, or the participant's tolerance threshold is met. If the participant is sensitive to the needle stimulation, the manipulation will be reduced. The needle will be left in situ for five minutes (Cotchett et al., 2011). Participants will receive dry needling once per week for three weeks. Plantar fascia and calf stretching exercise will be taught

Treatment:

Other: Dry needling

Stretching exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Plantar fascia stretching exercise: Participants will be instructed to sit with the affected foot placed on the contralateral thigh with the toes being grasped and pulled into extension until a stretch is felt in the plantar fascia. Calf stretching exercise: To focus on stretching the gastrocnemius, participants will be taught to stand with both hands holding onto the wall and keep the affected leg back with knee straightened and heel in contact with the floor. Slowly lean forward to the wall until a stretch is felt in the calf. To focus on stretching the soleus, the same procedures will be taught except with the affected knee being bent.

Treatment:

Other: Stretching exercise