Plantar FascitisNCT07078513
Active Release Technique Versus Strain-Counter Strain in Improving Pain and Function in Plantar Fasciitis
A study testing Active release Technique and Strain counter strain tecnhnique in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) in treating plantar fasciitis. Forty participants will be divided into two groups receiving either ART or SCS over a four-week period. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fascitis
- What is being tested?
- Active release Technique and Strain counter strain tecnhnique
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2025to 16 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 25 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients age 25-45 years diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.
- Chronic plantar fasciitis (symptoms lasting more than 3 months).
- Ability to participate in active movement for ART.
Who cannot join
- Recent lower limb surgery.
- Neurological disorders affecting gait or mobility.
- Acute inflammatory conditions of the foot.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Riphah international University Malakand Campus
Chakdara, KPK, 18800
About this study
This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) in treating plantar fasciitis. Forty participants will be divided into two groups receiving either ART or SCS over a four-week period. The study aims to identify the more effective manual therapy technique for reducing pain and improving function in patients with plantar fasciitis.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigates the comparative effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) in managing plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain and functional limitation. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to two intervention groups, each receiving either ART or SCS over a four-week period, with sessions conducted three times per week. ART involves targeted pressure with active tissue movement to release adhesions, while SCS uses passive positioning to relieve muscle tension. The study will be conducted at Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to determine the superior technique. The findings aim to support evidence-based manual therapy approaches in clinical physiotherapy practice.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fascitis
- Being tested
- Active release Technique, Strain counter strain tecnhnique
- Keywords
- Plantar fasciitis, Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
- Medical subject headings
- Fasciitis, Plantar
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active release TechniqueOther
Active Release Technique (ART) is a hands-on manual therapy that targets soft tissue restrictions by combining precise pressure with patient-assisted movement. It helps break down adhesions, improve mobility, and reduce pain by restoring normal tissue function.
Strain counter strain tecnhniqueOther
Strain-Counterstrain is a gentle, passive manual therapy that relieves muscle tension by positioning the body in a pain-free, comfortable posture. The therapist holds this position for about 90 seconds while applying light pressure to tender points, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax and reset.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active release Technique | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive Active Release Technique (ART), a manual therapy approach focused on relieving soft tissue restrictions. The therapist will apply targeted pressure to areas of adhesion while the patient actively moves the affected tissue through its full range of motion. Each session will include approximately 30 repetitions and will be conducted three times per week for four weeks. This technique aims to restore normal tissue mobility and reduce pain. Receives: Other: Active release Technique |
| Strain counter strain tecnhnique | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive Strain-Counterstrain (SCS), a gentle manual therapy technique designed to reduce muscle tension and pain. The therapist will passively position the patient into a position of maximal comfort, targeting specific tender points. This position is held for approximately 90 seconds while maintaining light pressure, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for four weeks, aiming to restore tissue balance and reduce discomfort. Receives: Other: Strain counter strain tecnhnique |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
NPRS
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a 0 to 10 self-reported scale used to assess pain intensity, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain. It is a simple, reliable tool commonly used in clinical trials to measure pain levels before and after interventions.
Measured: four weeks
Foot Function Index (FFI)
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI), a validated self-reported questionnaire designed to measure the impact of foot pathology on pain, disability, and activity limitation in daily life.
Measured: Four weeks
Goniometer
a reliable and widely used clinical tool that measures joint angles in degrees. It helps quantify movement limitations and improvements in specific planes, such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation.
Measured: Four weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jul 2025
- Study start15 Aug 2025
- Primary completion30 Dec 2025
- Study completion16 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Plantar FascitisStudies 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07078513
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC-01016 Asad Zaman
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Active Release Technique Versus Strain-Counter Strain in Improving Pain and Function in Plantar Fasciitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07078513
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC-01016 Asad Zaman
- Conditions
- Plantar Fascitis
- Keywords
- Plantar fasciitis, Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Jul 2025 (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.
This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) in treating plantar fasciitis. Forty participants will be divided into two groups receiving either ART or SCS over a four-week period. The study aims to identify the more effective manual therapy technique for reducing pain and improving function in patients with plantar fasciitis.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigates the comparative effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) in managing plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain and functional limitation. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to two intervention groups, each receiving either ART or SCS over a four-week period, with sessions conducted three times per week. ART involves targeted pressure with active tissue movement to release adhesions, while SCS uses passive positioning to relieve muscle tension. The study will be conducted at Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to determine the superior technique. The findings aim to support evidence-based manual therapy approaches in clinical physiotherapy practice.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active release Technique | Experimental | Other: Active release TechniqueParticipants in this group will receive Active Release Technique (ART), a manual therapy approach focused on relieving soft tissue restrictions. The therapist will apply targeted pressure to areas of adhesion while the patient actively moves the affected tissue through its full range of motion. Each session will include approximately 30 repetitions and will be conducted three times per week for four weeks. This technique aims to restore normal tissue mobility and reduce pain. |
| Strain counter strain tecnhnique | Experimental | Other: Strain counter strain tecnhniqueParticipants in this group will receive Strain-Counterstrain (SCS), a gentle manual therapy technique designed to reduce muscle tension and pain. The therapist will passively position the patient into a position of maximal comfort, targeting specific tender points. This position is held for approximately 90 seconds while maintaining light pressure, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for four weeks, aiming to restore tissue balance and reduce discomfort. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients age 25-45 years diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.
- Chronic plantar fasciitis (symptoms lasting more than 3 months).
- Ability to participate in active movement for ART.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Recent lower limb surgery.
- Neurological disorders affecting gait or mobility.
- Acute inflammatory conditions of the foot.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active release TechniqueActive Release Technique (ART) is a hands-on manual therapy that targets soft tissue restrictions by combining precise pressure with patient-assisted movement. It helps break down adhesions, improve mobility, and reduce pain by restoring normal tissue function. | Other | Active release Technique |
| Strain counter strain tecnhniqueStrain-Counterstrain is a gentle, passive manual therapy that relieves muscle tension by positioning the body in a pain-free, comfortable posture. The therapist holds this position for about 90 seconds while applying light pressure to tender points, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax and reset. | Other | Strain counter strain tecnhnique |
Primary outcome
NPRS
Time frame: four weeks
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a 0 to 10 self-reported scale used to assess pain intensity, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain. It is a simple, reliable tool commonly used in clinical trials to measure pain levels before and after interventions.
Foot Function Index (FFI)
Time frame: Four weeks
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI), a validated self-reported questionnaire designed to measure the impact of foot pathology on pain, disability, and activity limitation in daily life.
Goniometer
Time frame: Four weeks
a reliable and widely used clinical tool that measures joint angles in degrees. It helps quantify movement limitations and improvements in specific planes, such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Plantar Fascitis
Recruiting
F-18 Sodium Fluoride PET/CT-Guided Pain Palliation in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Comparative Study of ¹⁷⁷Lutetium-Corticosteroid-Local Anaesthetic Injection vs Corticosteroid-Local Anaesthetic Injection
Plantar Fascitis, Chronic Heel Pain
Not yet recruiting
Radial vs Focused Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
RecruitingObservational study
Tibial Nerve Size and Clinical Features in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic, Tibial Nerve
Recruiting
Video-Based Versus Physician-Led Exercise Training for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet, Plantar Fascitis
Recruiting
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy With or Without Kinesiotaping for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis
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.
Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active release Technique and Strain counter strain tecnhnique in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 3 inclusion and 3 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 19 Feb 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 Pakistan. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
NPRS (time frame: four weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 19 Feb 2026.