Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy of static stretching and deep kneading massage in patients with plantar fasciitis in enhancing pain relief and functional outcomes. Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 69 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, aged 20–...

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Main Authors: Syed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri, Sarah Ahmad, Gulnaz Yamin, Mishal Kamran, Wajeeha Afzal, Muhammad Naveed Babur
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Khyber Medical University 2025-03-01
Series:Khyber Medical University Journal
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Online Access:https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/23447
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author Syed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri
Sarah Ahmad
Gulnaz Yamin
Mishal Kamran
Wajeeha Afzal
Muhammad Naveed Babur
author_facet Syed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri
Sarah Ahmad
Gulnaz Yamin
Mishal Kamran
Wajeeha Afzal
Muhammad Naveed Babur
author_sort Syed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To compare the efficacy of static stretching and deep kneading massage in patients with plantar fasciitis in enhancing pain relief and functional outcomes. Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 69 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, aged 20–60 years. Participants were randomized into two groups: Control group received conservative treatment with static stretching, and experimental Group received conservative treatment with deep kneading massage. Stretching was administered in 3–5 repetitions of 45 seconds, while massage lasted 5–15 minutes, adjusted for tolerance and severity. Both groups received two sessions per week for two weeks. Outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21. Results: Both interventions showed significant within-group improvements in pain and functional ability (p = .000). The static stretching group showed a mean VAS reduction of 5.80 (SD = 0.96) and FAAM improvement of 39.00 (SD = 8.88). The deep kneading massage group showed a VAS reduction of 4.91 (SD = 1.05) and FAAM improvement of 36.61 (SD = 6.67). Between-group comparisons indicated that deep kneading massage resulted in greater overall improvements. Conclusion: Both static stretching and deep kneading massage are effective adjuncts in managing plantar fasciitis, with deep kneading massage showing superior pain relief and functional recovery. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-d4e3bfe5fb544925a00edccea96e79e12025-08-20T03:07:21ZengKhyber Medical UniversityKhyber Medical University Journal2305-26432305-26512025-03-01171475110.35845/kmuj.2025.234472219Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trialSyed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3336-3702Sarah Ahmad1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0636-8124Gulnaz Yamin2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2074-0482Mishal Kamran3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0480-1055Wajeeha Afzal4https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2735-7375Muhammad Naveed Babur5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5437-2497Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, PakistanObjective: To compare the efficacy of static stretching and deep kneading massage in patients with plantar fasciitis in enhancing pain relief and functional outcomes. Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 69 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, aged 20–60 years. Participants were randomized into two groups: Control group received conservative treatment with static stretching, and experimental Group received conservative treatment with deep kneading massage. Stretching was administered in 3–5 repetitions of 45 seconds, while massage lasted 5–15 minutes, adjusted for tolerance and severity. Both groups received two sessions per week for two weeks. Outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21. Results: Both interventions showed significant within-group improvements in pain and functional ability (p = .000). The static stretching group showed a mean VAS reduction of 5.80 (SD = 0.96) and FAAM improvement of 39.00 (SD = 8.88). The deep kneading massage group showed a VAS reduction of 4.91 (SD = 1.05) and FAAM improvement of 36.61 (SD = 6.67). Between-group comparisons indicated that deep kneading massage resulted in greater overall improvements. Conclusion: Both static stretching and deep kneading massage are effective adjuncts in managing plantar fasciitis, with deep kneading massage showing superior pain relief and functional recovery. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment strategies.https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/23447physical therapy modalitiesfasciitis, plantarexercises deep kneading massagestatic stretching exercisespain conventional therapyplantar fasciitisultrasoundrehabilitation foot and ankle ability measurevisual analog scale
spellingShingle Syed Muhammad Ghalman Jaffri
Sarah Ahmad
Gulnaz Yamin
Mishal Kamran
Wajeeha Afzal
Muhammad Naveed Babur
Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
Khyber Medical University Journal
physical therapy modalities
fasciitis, plantar
exercises
deep kneading massage
static stretching exercises
pain
conventional therapy
plantar fasciitis
ultrasound
rehabilitation
foot and ankle ability measure
visual analog scale
title Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
title_full Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
title_short Comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort comparative effectiveness of static stretching and deep kneading massage in the management of plantar fasciitis a randomized controlled trial
topic physical therapy modalities
fasciitis, plantar
exercises
deep kneading massage
static stretching exercises
pain
conventional therapy
plantar fasciitis
ultrasound
rehabilitation
foot and ankle ability measure
visual analog scale
url https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/23447
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