Plantar FasciitisNCT03161314
Plantar Heel Pain: Multisegment Foot Motion and Muscle Function, FFI Translation, and Evaluation of Treatments
A study testing Strengthening exercises and Stretching exercises in people with Plantar Fasciitis, run by Mahidol University at 2 sites in Thailand.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fasciitis
- What is being tested?
- Strengthening exercises and Stretching exercises
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesThailand
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2017to 1 Mar 2019
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Show all 9Show fewer
- Pain during weight-bearing activities
- No current or previous history of PF symptoms
- No foot pain
Who cannot join
- 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
- Same as those listed for the PF group
Show all 34Show fewer
- 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 Strengthening and Stretching Exercise Programs on Pain and Gait in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 20-80 years
- Heel pain lasting more than one month
- Pain during the first steps in the morning or after rest
- Tenderness at the medial calcaneal tubercle
- Plantar fascia thickness greater than 4.0 mm (confirmed by ultrasound)
- History of back or lower limb surgery within 6 months
- Recent trauma or corticosteroid injections (within 6 months)
- Leg length discrepancy greater than 1 cm
- Pregnancy
- Inability to perform the exercise program
- Receiving other ongoing treatments or performing other foot-specific exercises
- Coexisting conditions including:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Acute ankle sprain
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Calcaneal spurs
- Heel pad syndrome
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Thailand2 sites
Physical therapy center, Physical therapy faculty, Mahidol University
Bangkok, 10700
Motion analysis laboratory
Salaya, Nakhonpathom
About this study
Official title: Plantar Heel Pain: Multisegmental Foot Motion and Muscle Function, FFI Translation, and Evaluation of Physical Therapy Treatments
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.
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
Procedure
Study 1: Comparative Study of Gait and Foot Segment Motion Between Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis and Healthy Controls
A matched case-control study recruited individuals with PF and matched healthy controls by age, gender, weight, and height. After informed consent, anthropometric data were collected, and participants wore tight clothing to allow accurate marker placement. Forty-two reflective markers were attached to define foot and lower limb segments following the Oxford Foot Model and Plug-In-Gait protocols. A static calibration trial was recorded, after which some markers were removed. Then, participants performed walking trials along an 8-meter walkway while motion capture cameras and force plates recorded kinematic and kinetic data simultaneously. Each participant completed 3-5 gait trials at a self-selected comfortable speed, with two trials matching the control group's gait speed and cadence selected for analysis. Data were filtered and normalized over the gait cycle for further assessment. Outcome measures included ground reaction forces (GRFs) during braking and propulsion phases and peak multi-segment foot joint angles in three planes.
Study 2: Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of the Foot Function Index (FFI-Th)
This study used a cross-sectional design to translate and validate the Foot Function Index (FFI) into Thai (FFI-Th) following a standardized cross-cultural adaptation process. The steps included independent forward translation by two bilingual translators, synthesis by an expert committee, backward translation by two native English speakers, harmonization through consensus meetings, cognitive interviews with 20 individuals to ensure clarity, and final proofreading by a linguist. To assess criterion validity, participants also completed the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) for health-related quality of life and a pain visual analogue scale (pain-VAS). These instruments provided comparative data for evaluating the FFI-Th's validity.
Study 3; Effects of Strengthening and Stretching Exercise Programs on Pain and Gait in individuals with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was used. Individuals with PF were screened and recruited based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent, participants were randomly assigned into two groups: strengthening exercises or stretching exercises. All participants received a standardized physical therapy treatment including therapeutic ultrasound and manual therapy, followed by their assigned exercise programs instructed by blinded physical therapists. Participants performed home-based exercises three times daily for 4 weeks, then continued at home for 2 months with exercise logs to monitor compliance. Outcome assessments were conducted five times: baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups. Data collected included demographics, pain intensity via visual analogue scale (VAS), and temporospatial gait parameters measured by a force distribution platform and synchronized video system.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Being tested
- Strengthening exercises, Stretching exercises
- Keywords
- plantar fasciitis, multisegment foot motion, gait, physical therapy, strengthening, stretching, exercise, translation, plantar heel pain
- Medical subject headings
- Fasciitis, Plantar, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Strengthening exercisesProcedure or surgery
Conservative physical therapy treatment with home-based strengthening exercises (study 3)
Stretching exercisesProcedure or surgery
Conservative physical therapy treatment with home-based stretching exercises (study 3)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening group | Experimental | Individuals with PF who received strengthening exercises. (study 3) Receives: Procedure: Strengthening exercises |
| Stretching group | Active comparator | Individuals with PF who received stretching exercises. (study 3) Receives: Procedure: Stretching exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Worst Pain
Worst pain was assessed using the Visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "pain as bad as participants can imagine". Participants were asked to report their worst pain level over the past 24 hours. Higher scores indicate more severe pain. Unit of Measure: scores
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Morning Pain
Morning pain intensity upon waking was assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants mark a point along a continuous line anchored by "no pain" (0) and "worst imaginable pain" (10), with higher values indicating more severe morning pain. Unit of Measure: scores
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Secondary outcomes (4)
Cadence
Cadence refers to the number of steps taken per minute during walking. It is a critical parameter in gait analysis, influencing both performance and injury risk, and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Unit of Measure: steps/minute
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Stride Length
Stride length is the distance covered between two consecutive placements of the same foot during walking. It represents the length of a full gait cycle, encompassing both the stance and swing phases of the same limb. In clinical assessments, stride length is measured to evaluate gait efficiency, balance, and the effectiveness of rehabilitation program. Unit of Measure: meter
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Stride Time
Time spend during walking over one gait cycle (s)
Stride time refers to the duration of one full gait cycle, measured from the initial contact of one foot to the subsequent initial contact of the same foot. It encompasses both the stance and swing phases of the limb's movement. Stride time is a critical temporal parameter in gait analysis, providing insights into the rhythm and coordination of walking. Unit of Measure: second
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Gait Speed
Distance of walking over time (m/s)
Gait speed refers to the rate at which an individual walks. It serves as a crucial indicator of mobility and overall physical fitness, playing a significant role in assessing an individual's balance, endurance, and functional abilities. Unit of Measure: meter/second
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 May 2017
- Study start1 Aug 2017
- Primary completion1 Feb 2019
- Study completion1 Mar 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (12)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Plantar FasciitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A stratified randomization table according to age (less or more than 50 years) and pain score (less or more than 5 out of 10 scores) was used.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mahidol University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Thailand Research Fund
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sunee Bovonsunthonchai, Mahidol University
- Investigators
- Sunee Bovonsunthonchai, PhD, Principal investigator, Mahidol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03161314
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MU-CIRB 2016/182.0211
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 8 May 2017
- Last updated
- 4 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Martin RL, Davenport TE, Reischl SF, McPoil TG, Matheson JW, Wukich DK, McDonough CM; American Physical Therapy Association. Heel pain-plantar fasciitis: revision 2014. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Nov;44(11):A1-33. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.0303.
PubMed 25361863Cole C, Seto C, Gazewood J. Plantar fasciitis: evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Dec 1;72(11):2237-42.
PubMed 16342847Lemont H, Ammirati KM, Usen N. Plantar fasciitis: a degenerative process (fasciosis) without inflammation. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2003 May-Jun;93(3):234-7. doi: 10.7547/87507315-93-3-234.
PubMed 12756315Chang R, Rodrigues PA, Van Emmerik RE, Hamill J. Multi-segment foot kinematics and ground reaction forces during gait of individuals with plantar fasciitis. J Biomech. 2014 Aug 22;47(11):2571-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.06.003. Epub 2014 Jun 11.
PubMed 24992816Wearing SC, Smeathers JE, Yates B, Sullivan PM, Urry SR, Dubois P. Sagittal movement of the medial longitudinal arch is unchanged in plantar fasciitis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 Oct;36(10):1761-7. doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000142297.10881.11.
PubMed 15595298Budiman-Mak E, Conrad KJ, Mazza J, Stuck RM. A review of the foot function index and the foot function index - revised. J Foot Ankle Res. 2013 Feb 1;6(1):5. doi: 10.1186/1757-1146-6-5.
PubMed 23369667Hill CL, Gill TK, Menz HB, Taylor AW. Prevalence and correlates of foot pain in a population-based study: the North West Adelaide health study. J Foot Ankle Res. 2008 Jul 28;1(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1757-1146-1-2.
PubMed 18822153Sullivan J, Burns J, Adams R, Pappas E, Crosbie J. Musculoskeletal and activity-related factors associated with plantar heel pain. Foot Ankle Int. 2015 Jan;36(1):37-45. doi: 10.1177/1071100714551021. Epub 2014 Sep 18.
PubMed 25237175Rathleff MS, Moelgaard C, Lykkegaard Olesen J. Intra- and interobserver reliability of quantitative ultrasound measurement of the plantar fascia. J Clin Ultrasound. 2011 Mar-Apr;39(3):128-34. doi: 10.1002/jcu.20787. Epub 2011 Jan 10.
PubMed 21387326Digiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, Malay DP, Graci PA, Williams TT, Wilding GE, Baumhauer JF. Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. A prospective clinical trial with two-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Aug;88(8):1775-81. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.01281.
PubMed 16882901Rathleff MS, Molgaard CM, Fredberg U, Kaalund S, Andersen KB, Jensen TT, Aaskov S, Olesen JL. High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015 Jun;25(3):e292-300. doi: 10.1111/sms.12313. Epub 2014 Aug 21.
PubMed 25145882Bovonsunthonchai S, Thong-On S, Vachalathiti R, Intiravoranont W, Suwannarat S, Smith R. Thai version of the foot function index: a cross-cultural adaptation with reliability and validity evaluation. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2020 Sep 10;12:56. doi: 10.1186/s13102-020-00206-8. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 32944253
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Plantar Heel Pain: Multisegmental Foot Motion and Muscle Function, FFI Translation, and Evaluation of Physical Therapy Treatments
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03161314
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MU-CIRB 2016/182.0211
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Keywords
- plantar fasciitis, multisegment foot motion, gait, physical therapy, strengthening, stretching, exercise, translation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Mahidol UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Thailand Research Fund
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 May 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 4 Jul 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Procedure
Study 1: Comparative Study of Gait and Foot Segment Motion Between Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis and Healthy Controls
A matched case-control study recruited individuals with PF and matched healthy controls by age, gender, weight, and height. After informed consent, anthropometric data were collected, and participants wore tight clothing to allow accurate marker placement. Forty-two reflective markers were attached to define foot and lower limb segments following the Oxford Foot Model and Plug-In-Gait protocols. A static calibration trial was recorded, after which some markers were removed. Then, participants performed walking trials along an 8-meter walkway while motion capture cameras and force plates recorded kinematic and kinetic data simultaneously. Each participant completed 3-5 gait trials at a self-selected comfortable speed, with two trials matching the control group's gait speed and cadence selected for analysis. Data were filtered and normalized over the gait cycle for further assessment. Outcome measures included ground reaction forces (GRFs) during braking and propulsion phases and peak multi-segment foot joint angles in three planes.
Study 2: Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of the Foot Function Index (FFI-Th)
This study used a cross-sectional design to translate and validate the Foot Function Index (FFI) into Thai (FFI-Th) following a standardized cross-cultural adaptation process. The steps included independent forward translation by two bilingual translators, synthesis by an expert committee, backward translation by two native English speakers, harmonization through consensus meetings, cognitive interviews with 20 individuals to ensure clarity, and final proofreading by a linguist. To assess criterion validity, participants also completed the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) for health-related quality of life and a pain visual analogue scale (pain-VAS). These instruments provided comparative data for evaluating the FFI-Th's validity.
Study 3; Effects of Strengthening and Stretching Exercise Programs on Pain and Gait in individuals with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was used. Individuals with PF were screened and recruited based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent, participants were randomly assigned into two groups: strengthening exercises or stretching exercises. All participants received a standardized physical therapy treatment including therapeutic ultrasound and manual therapy, followed by their assigned exercise programs instructed by blinded physical therapists. Participants performed home-based exercises three times daily for 4 weeks, then continued at home for 2 months with exercise logs to monitor compliance. Outcome assessments were conducted five times: baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups. Data collected included demographics, pain intensity via visual analogue scale (VAS), and temporospatial gait parameters measured by a force distribution platform and synchronized video system.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A stratified randomization table according to age (less or more than 50 years) and pain score (less or more than 5 out of 10 scores) was used.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening group | Experimental | Procedure: Strengthening exercisesIndividuals with PF who received strengthening exercises. (study 3) |
| Stretching group | Active comparator | Procedure: Stretching exercisesIndividuals with PF who received stretching exercises. (study 3) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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:
- No current or previous history of PF symptoms
Key exclusion criteria (34 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening exercisesConservative physical therapy treatment with home-based strengthening exercises (study 3) | Procedure or surgery | Strengthening group |
| Stretching exercisesConservative physical therapy treatment with home-based stretching exercises (study 3) | Procedure or surgery | Stretching group |
Primary outcome
Worst Pain
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Worst pain was assessed using the Visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "pain as bad as participants can imagine". Participants were asked to report their worst pain level over the past 24 hours. Higher scores indicate more severe pain. Unit of Measure: scores
Morning Pain
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Morning pain intensity upon waking was assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants mark a point along a continuous line anchored by "no pain" (0) and "worst imaginable pain" (10), with higher values indicating more severe morning pain. Unit of Measure: scores
4 secondary outcomes
Cadence
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Stride Length
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Stride Time
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Gait Speed
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jul 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 25361863Martin RL, Davenport TE, Reischl SF, McPoil TG, Matheson JW, Wukich DK, McDonough CM; American Physical Therapy Association. Heel pain-plantar fasciitis: revision 2014. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Nov;44(11):A1-33. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.0303.
- Background: PubMed 16342847Cole C, Seto C, Gazewood J. Plantar fasciitis: evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Dec 1;72(11):2237-42.
- Background: PubMed 12756315Lemont H, Ammirati KM, Usen N. Plantar fasciitis: a degenerative process (fasciosis) without inflammation. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2003 May-Jun;93(3):234-7. doi: 10.7547/87507315-93-3-234.
- Background: PubMed 24992816Chang R, Rodrigues PA, Van Emmerik RE, Hamill J. Multi-segment foot kinematics and ground reaction forces during gait of individuals with plantar fasciitis. J Biomech. 2014 Aug 22;47(11):2571-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.06.003. Epub 2014 Jun 11.
- Background: PubMed 15595298Wearing SC, Smeathers JE, Yates B, Sullivan PM, Urry SR, Dubois P. Sagittal movement of the medial longitudinal arch is unchanged in plantar fasciitis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 Oct;36(10):1761-7. doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000142297.10881.11.
- Background: PubMed 23369667Budiman-Mak E, Conrad KJ, Mazza J, Stuck RM. A review of the foot function index and the foot function index - revised. J Foot Ankle Res. 2013 Feb 1;6(1):5. doi: 10.1186/1757-1146-6-5.
- Results publication: PubMed 18822153Hill CL, Gill TK, Menz HB, Taylor AW. Prevalence and correlates of foot pain in a population-based study: the North West Adelaide health study. J Foot Ankle Res. 2008 Jul 28;1(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1757-1146-1-2.
- Results publication: PubMed 25237175Sullivan J, Burns J, Adams R, Pappas E, Crosbie J. Musculoskeletal and activity-related factors associated with plantar heel pain. Foot Ankle Int. 2015 Jan;36(1):37-45. doi: 10.1177/1071100714551021. Epub 2014 Sep 18.
- Results publication: PubMed 21387326Rathleff MS, Moelgaard C, Lykkegaard Olesen J. Intra- and interobserver reliability of quantitative ultrasound measurement of the plantar fascia. J Clin Ultrasound. 2011 Mar-Apr;39(3):128-34. doi: 10.1002/jcu.20787. Epub 2011 Jan 10.
- Results publication: PubMed 16882901Digiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, Malay DP, Graci PA, Williams TT, Wilding GE, Baumhauer JF. Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. A prospective clinical trial with two-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Aug;88(8):1775-81. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.01281.
- Results publication: PubMed 25145882Rathleff MS, Molgaard CM, Fredberg U, Kaalund S, Andersen KB, Jensen TT, Aaskov S, Olesen JL. High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015 Jun;25(3):e292-300. doi: 10.1111/sms.12313. Epub 2014 Aug 21.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 32944253Bovonsunthonchai S, Thong-On S, Vachalathiti R, Intiravoranont W, Suwannarat S, Smith R. Thai version of the foot function index: a cross-cultural adaptation with reliability and validity evaluation. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2020 Sep 10;12:56. doi: 10.1186/s13102-020-00206-8. eCollection 2020.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sunee Bovonsunthonchai, PhD principal investigator
Mahidol University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Strengthening exercises and Stretching exercises in people with Plantar Fasciitis, run by Mahidol University at 2 sites in Thailand.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 34 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Thailand. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 4 Jul 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Worst Pain (time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after the intervention, 4 weeks after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 2-month follow-up). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03161314, which also lists 12 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jul 2025.