Plantar Fasciitis, ChronicNCT06284993
Acupuncture of Different Treatment Frequency in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
A study testing electroacupuncture(more frequent) and electroacupuncture(less frequent) in people with Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic, run by Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, typically characterized by a sharp pain in the plantar aponeurosis, specifically near the insertion site close to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
- What is being tested?
- electroacupuncture(more frequent) and electroacupuncture(less frequent)
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 21 May 2024to 30 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients with a diagnosis of chronic PF with a disease course of ≥ 6 months;
- The most painful heel pain in the morning is Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0 indicating no pain and 100 indicating maximal pain) ≥ 40 mm on a 100 mm VAS;
- Patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years;
- Patients should be conscious, free from mental disorders, and without serious heart, liver, or kidney diseases; and
- Willing to sign the informed consent form.
Who cannot join
- History of calcaneal tuberosity fracture/calcaneal stress fracture/calcaneal contusion/plantar fascia rupture;
- History of ankle or foot surgery;
- Achilles tendon enthesis lesion/tarsal tunnel syndrome/medial calcaneal nerve entrapment/nerve injury;
- Systemic or local infection, severe cracked heel, foot deformity (e.g., high arched feet, flat feet, foot valgus);
- Systemic diseases (e.g., obligatory spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis, autoimmune system diseases, tumors, diabetes ) and other situations judged by the investigators not to be suitable for the clinical trial;
- Pregnant women; patients with severe combined cardiac, hepatic, renal, hematopoietic, and patients with cardiac pacemakers , and patients with severe poor general nutritional status;
Show all 9Show fewer
- Cognitive impairment, inability to understand the content of the scale evaluation;
- Topical steroid injection or oral use in the past 6 months;
- Patients with a known fear of acupuncture or who have been treated with acupuncture in the past 8 weeks.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital
Beijing
Jiaxiang Shi, +8618396129770, 476605704@qq.com
About this study
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, typically characterized by a sharp pain in the plantar aponeurosis, specifically near the insertion site close to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. It has been reported that 1 in 10 people are expected to be affected by PF in their lifetime. A comprehensive internet-panel survey conducted among the adult United States population revealed the population-based prevalence of self-reported PF with pain in the last month was 0.85 percent. Approximately 1 million patients are diagnosed with this disease each year in the United States. PF was believed to be an acute inflammatory disease, but patient samples show it is actually a chronic degenerative process caused by various factors such as repetitive stresses, vascular and metabolic disorders, excess free radicals, high temperatures, genetic factors, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies. PF may be associated with impaired health-related quality of life, including reduced life functioning, poor perceived health status and social isolation. Additionally, a recent study indicates that the annual cost associated with PF is $284 million.
The first-line treatments recommended by guidelines for PF encompass physical therapy (including manual therapy, stretching, and others), pharmacological therapy (involving corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma), and surgical treatment. However, the definite effects of physical therapy still require confirmation. Pharmacological treatments, such as local corticosteroid injections, exhibit a short maintenance period. Some studies indicate that the relief provided by corticosteroid injections lasts up to one month, yet its efficacy diminishes after 6 months. Surgical treatment is generally advised 6 to 12 months after unsuccessful conservative treatment, albeit with the drawback of higher costs, post-surgery recovery time, and patient apprehension.
Read more
Acupuncture is one of the most common complementary alternative therapy for the treatment of pain-related diseases such as musculoskeletal muscle, and recent guidelines recommend dry needling as a treatment for relief of plantar fasciitis, with a level of evidence of B. Dry acupuncture is different from acupuncture in terms of theoretical basis, therapeutic apparatus, technical operation and scope of indications, however, the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety also believes that dry needling falls under the umbrella of acupuncture, but under a different name. In addition, there are systematic evaluations that suggest acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for PF, and most of the trials in the systematic evaluations used 4-week treatment courses. Our prior study demonstrated that a 4-week intervention of both electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture resulted in improved pain outcomes among patients with PF.
The frequency of acupuncture stands as a crucial factor influencing its efficacy. A study revealed that needling trials with negative results had a significantly lower frequency compared to those yielding positive results. Furthermore, several studies indicate that acupuncture once a week can be help in conditions such as simple obesity, functional dyspepsia, and overactive bladder in women. There is no universally accepted standard of frequency of treatment for many conditions, including PF. In China, patients with chronic diseases usually receive 3-5 acupuncture treatments per week. However, in most previous trials, individuals with chronic diseases received 1-2 needling sessions per week. An increase in the frequency of acupuncture means an increase in the pain, time, and financial investment associated with the acupuncture process. Therefore, it is critical to optimize the frequency of acupuncture to ensure the effectiveness and feasibility of the treatment while avoiding increasing the burden on the patient. Accordingly, the investigators designed the current trial to compare the effects of different acupuncture sessions (1 session per week versus 3 sessions per week) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of chronic PF. The hypothesis is that 1 session per week compared with 3 sessions per week of electroacupuncture treatment over a total of 4 weeks of treatment will provide a similar effect on pain relief in chronic PF.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
- Being tested
- electroacupuncture(more frequent), electroacupuncture(less frequent)
- Medical subject headings
- Fasciitis, Plantar
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
electroacupuncture(more frequent)Procedure or surgery
With the patient in a prone position, the local skin will be routinely sterilized, Ashi points will be perpendicularly inserted into the plantar fascia layer with a depth of approximately 15-20 mm depending on the location. BL57, KI3, and BL60 will be punched perpendicularly 10-15 mm deep into the skin. All needles except the Ashi points will be manually stimulated with small, equal manipulations of lifting, thrusting, twirling, and rotating to achieve De qi (a sensation including soreness, numbness, distention, and heaviness), and the practitioner has a feeling of needle sinking and tightness. The electroacupuncture instrument is connected to the needle handle of BL57 and BL60 respectively. During the needle retention period, except for BL57 and BL60, which are connected to the electroacupuncture instrument, Ashi points and KI3 perform a small and uniform twisting technique three times every 10 min, and a total of 3 times within 30min.
electroacupuncture(less frequent)Procedure or surgery
The intervention is the same as Group M except that the frequency of acupuncture will be once per week acupuncture. During the treatment period, in addition to acupuncture, patients will be visited twice a week for a total of 8 visits by telephone or in person. If the content of the visit aligns with the established efficacy evaluation visit in the program, it will be carried out as planned. If not, the patient will be inquired about the progress of their condition since the previous treatment, any rescue medication taken, and other relevant information. Visits that do not involve improvement in relevant indicators of study concern do not need to be recorded.
The electroacupuncture will last for 30 min and will be performed three sessions per week or one session per week for a total of 12 or 4 sessions in four consecutive weeks. Participants in both groups will be treated and (or) evaluated separately.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| The more frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group M) | Experimental | The more frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group M) Receives: Procedure: electroacupuncture(more frequent) |
| The less frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group L) | Experimental | The less frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group L) Receives: Procedure: electroacupuncture(less frequent) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The response rate
Defined as a minimum of 50% improvement in the worst pain intensity during the first morning steps compared with the baseline. This trial will be analyzed using the mean of the worst pain level VAS from the previous three days. Pain intensity will be measured using a 0-100 VAS, with 0 indicating no pain and 100 indicating maximal pain. Participants who must resort to additional treatments other than the permitted rescue medication will be classified as non-responders.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4
Secondary outcomes (8)
The response rate
Defined as a minimum of 50% improvement in the worst pain intensity during the first morning steps compared with the baseline. This trial will be analyzed using the mean of the worst pain level VAS from the previous three days. Pain intensity will be measured using a 0-100 VAS, with 0 indicating no pain and 100 indicating maximal pain. Participants who must resort to additional treatments other than the permitted rescue medication will be classified as non-responders.
Measured: At the end of weeks 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the VAS score for worst pain intensity during the first morning steps
A 100-mm VAS ranging from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximal pain), with varying degrees of pain in between will be used. Patients will indicate their pain intensity on the VAS by marking a point, and the distance from 0 mm to this point will determine the pain score. The mean of the worst pain intensity during the first morning steps during the previous three days will be determined.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the VAS score for mean pain intensity during the day
A 100-mm VAS ranges from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximal pain), with varying degrees of pain in between will be used. The average VAS score of daily heel pain over the past three days will be assessed.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the duration of heel pain during the day
The study will measure the average number of hours of daytime heel pain over the last three days while participants maintain their normal daily activities.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in heel pressure pain threshold (PPT)
PPT is defined as the minimum pressure detected when the sensation of pressure first changes to a sensation of pain. PPT will be tested with a pressure algometer (Fabrication Enterprises, White Plains, NY; from 1 kg/cm2 to 5 kg/cm2) using a metal probe with a 0.5 cm2 rubber disc, performed by a trained researcher. PPT will be measured with the participant lying supine in a relaxed position with the affected foot hanging over the edge of the bed. When measuring the PPT, the rubber disc will be placed perpendicularly on the painful spot, and pressure will be applied at a rate of approximately 0.1 kg/cm2/s through the metal probe of the pressure algometer. Participants will be asked to report when the initial pain sensation occurs, and the readings of the algometer will be recorded. The score will be determined by averaging three repeated measurements with 30 s between each trial. All values below 1 kg/cm2 will be reported as 0.5 kg/cm2.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in ankle range of motion (AROM)
The examiner will measure the AROM, including dorsiflexion and plantar flexion with the knee extended, using a digital goniometer (Tangxia Electronic Instrument Factory, Dongguan, from 0° to 360°). For the extended-knee assessment, the participant will be seated on a treatment table with the knees fully extended (0°) and the feet hanging off the end of the table. The axis of the goniometer will be placed at the lateral malleolus. The stationary arm will be placed parallel to the center of the fibular head and the moving arm placed parallel to the fifth metatarsal. The ankle will be passively moved from a neutral starting position into dorsiflexion and plantar flexion until a firm end feel is elicited, and the readings of the goniometer will be recorded. The mean score of three trials, with 10s between each examination, will be calculated and used for analysis.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) total score and subscale scores
The FAAM is a self-reported outcome instrument designed to assess physical functioning in patients with foot and ankle-related injuries, and consists of a 29-item questionnaire divided into two subscales: a 21-item Activities of Daily Living (ADL) subscale, and an eight-item exercise subscale. Each item is scored on a 0-4 point Likert scale ranging from zero (unable to do) to four (no difficulty at all), with higher total scores indicating a higher level of function. The FAAM has a maximum potential score of 116 (84 ADL and 32 sport subscales). The score obtained (total, ADL, and sport subscale scores) is divided by the maximum potential score and multiplied by 100 to obtain a percentage. If the patient does not respond to a question, that specific question will be left blank and not be a part of the final value of the questionnaire. In this trial, we will use the previously validated Chinese version of the FAAM.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Participant global assessment of improvement
The evaluation of overall clinical impact from the participants' perspective will be divided into seven grades, assessed by patients at three timepoints: the end of the four-week treatment, and at eight and 16 weeks of follow-up. The improvement will be scaled from one (complete recovery) to seven (vastly worse), with two being obvious improvement, three being a little improvement, four being no change, five being a little worse and six being obviously worse. Although the scale's validity has not been verified in patients with PF, it has been shown to provide credible validity in some musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory synovitis.
Measured: At the end of weeks 4, 8 and 16
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Feb 2024
- Study start21 May 2024
- Primary completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Plantar Fasciitis, ChronicStudies 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
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, weiming wang, Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Investigators
- Weiming Wang, Ph.D, Principal investigator, Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06284993
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023-214-KY
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Feb 2024
- Last updated
- 11 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data are available on reasonable request. You can send e-mail to us if you have any question
Publications
Shi J, Jiao R, Liu Y, Liu X, Sun Y, Shi H, Gao N, Liu Z, Liang J, Wang W. Comparing different session regimens of electroacupuncture for chronic plantar fasciitis: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2024 Aug 24;41:101355. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101355. eCollection 2024 Oct.
PubMed 39280785
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acupuncture of Different Treatment Frequency in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06284993
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023-214-KY
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
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 one of the most common causes of heel pain, typically characterized by a sharp pain in the plantar aponeurosis, specifically near the insertion site close to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. It has been reported that 1 in 10 people are expected to be affected by PF in their lifetime. A comprehensive internet-panel survey conducted among the adult United States population revealed the population-based prevalence of self-reported PF with pain in the last month was 0.85 percent. Approximately 1 million patients are diagnosed with this disease each year in the United States. PF was believed to be an acute inflammatory disease, but patient samples show it is actually a chronic degenerative process caused by various factors such as repetitive stresses, vascular and metabolic disorders, excess free radicals, high temperatures, genetic factors, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies. PF may be associated with impaired health-related quality of life, including reduced life functioning, poor perceived health status and social isolation. Additionally, a recent study indicates that the annual cost associated with PF is $284 million.
The first-line treatments recommended by guidelines for PF encompass physical therapy (including manual therapy, stretching, and others), pharmacological therapy (involving corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma), and surgical treatment. However, the definite effects of physical therapy still require confirmation. Pharmacological treatments, such as local corticosteroid injections, exhibit a short maintenance period. Some studies indicate that the relief provided by corticosteroid injections lasts up to one month, yet its efficacy diminishes after 6 months. Surgical treatment is generally advised 6 to 12 months after unsuccessful conservative treatment, albeit with the drawback of higher costs, post-surgery recovery time, and patient apprehension.
Acupuncture is one of the most common complementary alternative therapy for the treatment of pain-related diseases such as musculoskeletal muscle, and recent guidelines recommend dry needling as a treatment for relief of plantar fasciitis, with a level of evidence of B. Dry acupuncture is different from acupuncture in terms of theoretical basis, therapeutic apparatus, technical operation and scope of indications, however, the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety also believes that dry needling falls under the umbrella of acupuncture, but under a different name. In addition, there are systematic evaluations that suggest acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for PF, and most of the trials in the systematic evaluations used 4-week treatment courses. Our prior study demonstrated that a 4-week intervention of both electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture resulted in improved pain outcomes among patients with PF.
The frequency of acupuncture stands as a crucial factor influencing its efficacy. A study revealed that needling trials with negative results had a significantly lower frequency compared to those yielding positive results. Furthermore, several studies indicate that acupuncture once a week can be help in conditions such as simple obesity, functional dyspepsia, and overactive bladder in women. There is no universally accepted standard of frequency of treatment for many conditions, including PF. In China, patients with chronic diseases usually receive 3-5 acupuncture treatments per week. However, in most previous trials, individuals with chronic diseases received 1-2 needling sessions per week. An increase in the frequency of acupuncture means an increase in the pain, time, and financial investment associated with the acupuncture process. Therefore, it is critical to optimize the frequency of acupuncture to ensure the effectiveness and feasibility of the treatment while avoiding increasing the burden on the patient. Accordingly, the investigators designed the current trial to compare the effects of different acupuncture sessions (1 session per week versus 3 sessions per week) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of chronic PF. The hypothesis is that 1 session per week compared with 3 sessions per week of electroacupuncture treatment over a total of 4 weeks of treatment will provide a similar effect on pain relief in chronic PF.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| The more frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group M) | Experimental | Procedure: electroacupuncture(more frequent)The more frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group M) |
| The less frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group L) | Experimental | Procedure: electroacupuncture(less frequent)The less frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group L) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients with a diagnosis of chronic PF with a disease course of ≥ 6 months;
- The most painful heel pain in the morning is Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0 indicating no pain and 100 indicating maximal pain) ≥ 40 mm on a 100 mm VAS;
- Patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years;
- Patients should be conscious, free from mental disorders, and without serious heart, liver, or kidney diseases; and
- Willing to sign the informed consent form.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- History of calcaneal tuberosity fracture/calcaneal stress fracture/calcaneal contusion/plantar fascia rupture;
- History of ankle or foot surgery;
- Achilles tendon enthesis lesion/tarsal tunnel syndrome/medial calcaneal nerve entrapment/nerve injury;
- Systemic or local infection, severe cracked heel, foot deformity (e.g., high arched feet, flat feet, foot valgus);
- Systemic diseases (e.g., obligatory spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis, autoimmune system diseases, tumors, diabetes ) and other situations judged by the investigators not to be suitable for the clinical trial;
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 |
|---|---|---|
| electroacupuncture(more frequent)With the patient in a prone position, the local skin will be routinely sterilized, Ashi points will be perpendicularly inserted into the plantar fascia layer with a depth of approximately 15-20 mm depending on the location. BL57, KI3, and BL60 will be punched perpendicularly 10-15 mm deep into the skin. All needles except the Ashi points will be manually stimulated with small, equal manipulations of lifting, thrusting, twirling, and rotating to achieve De qi (a sensation including soreness, numbness, distention, and heaviness), and the practitioner has a feeling of needle sinking and tightness. The electroacupuncture instrument is connected to the needle handle of BL57 and BL60 respectively. During the needle retention period, except for BL57 and BL60, which are connected to the electroacupuncture instrument, Ashi points and KI3 perform a small and uniform twisting technique three times every 10 min, and a total of 3 times within 30min. | Procedure or surgery | The more frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group M) |
| electroacupuncture(less frequent)The intervention is the same as Group M except that the frequency of acupuncture will be once per week acupuncture. During the treatment period, in addition to acupuncture, patients will be visited twice a week for a total of 8 visits by telephone or in person. If the content of the visit aligns with the established efficacy evaluation visit in the program, it will be carried out as planned. If not, the patient will be inquired about the progress of their condition since the previous treatment, any rescue medication taken, and other relevant information. Visits that do not involve improvement in relevant indicators of study concern do not need to be recorded. The electroacupuncture will last for 30 min and will be performed three sessions per week or one session per week for a total of 12 or 4 sessions in four consecutive weeks. Participants in both groups will be treated and (or) evaluated separately. | Procedure or surgery | The less frequent acupuncture treatment group (Group L) |
Primary outcome
The response rate
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4
Defined as a minimum of 50% improvement in the worst pain intensity during the first morning steps compared with the baseline. This trial will be analyzed using the mean of the worst pain level VAS from the previous three days. Pain intensity will be measured using a 0-100 VAS, with 0 indicating no pain and 100 indicating maximal pain. Participants who must resort to additional treatments other than the permitted rescue medication will be classified as non-responders.
8 secondary outcomes
The response rate
Time frame: At the end of weeks 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the VAS score for worst pain intensity during the first morning steps
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the VAS score for mean pain intensity during the day
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in the duration of heel pain during the day
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in heel pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in ankle range of motion (AROM)
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Change from baseline in Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) total score and subscale scores
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8, and 16
Participant global assessment of improvement
Time frame: At the end of weeks 4, 8 and 16
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Sep 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39280785Shi J, Jiao R, Liu Y, Liu X, Sun Y, Shi H, Gao N, Liu Z, Liang J, Wang W. Comparing different session regimens of electroacupuncture for chronic plantar fasciitis: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2024 Aug 24;41:101355. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101355. eCollection 2024 Oct.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data are available on reasonable request. You can send e-mail to us if you have any question
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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.
Weiming Wang, Ph.D principal investigator
Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing electroacupuncture(more frequent) and electroacupuncture(less frequent) in people with Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic, run by Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences at 1 site in China.
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 5 inclusion and 9 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Weiming Wang, Ph.D (+8613426424993, wangweiming1a1@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The response rate (time frame: At the end of weeks 4). 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 NCT06284993, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 11 Sep 2026.