Plantar Fasciitis of Both FeetNCT07628218
Video-Based Versus Physician-Led Exercise Training for Plantar Fasciitis
A study testing Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction and Video-Based Exercise Instruction in people with Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet and Plantar Fascitis, run by Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This prospective, single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial will compare physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction with standardized video-based exercise instruction in adults with plantar fasciitis. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet, Plantar Fascitis
- What is being tested?
- Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction and Video-Based Exercise Instruction
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 12 Feb 2026to 12 Nov 2026
- 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 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 to 70 years
- Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
- Plantar heel pain lasting for at least 3 months
- Heel pain that is most prominent with the first steps in the morning or after rest
- Tenderness on palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle
- Baseline heel pain score of 4 or higher on a 0-10 numerical rating scale
Show all 9Show fewer
- Functional capacity to perform the prescribed exercises
- Access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer to view the exercise video
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Previous foot or ankle surgery on the affected side
- History of foot fracture, foot tumor, advanced neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy, or tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Corticosteroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, or other interventional treatment for plantar fasciitis within the last 6 months
- Inflammatory arthritis or systemic rheumatologic disease affecting the foot
- Severe knee or hip osteoarthritis limiting exercise performance
- Severe cognitive impairment preventing participation or completion of questionnaires
- Pregnancy
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital
Balıkesir
gunes SARIKAYA, 05436733113, gunessarikaya05@hotmail.com
- Recruiting
Balıkesir Atatürk City Hospital
Balıkesir
Güneş sarıkaya, ortopedic surgeon, 905436733113, gunessarikaya05@hotmail.com
About this study
Official title: Clinical Effectiveness of Video-Based Exercise Training Compared With Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial
This prospective, single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial will compare physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction with standardized video-based exercise instruction in adults with plantar fasciitis. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either face-to-face exercise training by an orthopedic physician or access to a standardized exercise video via QR code/web link. The exercise content will be identical in both groups; only the method of instruction will differ. The primary outcome will be the change in the Foot Function Index total/index score from baseline to 3 months. Secondary outcomes will include pain score, Foot Function Index subscales, exercise knowledge, exercise adherence, education time, video viewing status, additional treatment requirement, and patient satisfaction.
Read the detailed description
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of chronic plantar heel pain and may lead to functional limitation and reduced quality of life. Exercise education is an important component of conservative treatment; however, in busy outpatient settings, the time available for detailed face-to-face instruction may be limited. Standardized video-based education may provide a practical alternative by delivering the same exercise content in a reproducible format.
This study will evaluate whether video-based exercise instruction is non-inferior to physician-led face-to-face instruction in patients with plantar fasciitis. All participants will receive standard information about plantar fasciitis, load management, footwear recommendations, weight control, short-term analgesic or anti-inflammatory use when needed, and heel pad or insole support. The home exercise program will be identical in both groups and will include plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises.
Assessments will be performed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization. Functional status will be assessed using the Foot Function Index, and pain will be measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Exercise knowledge, adherence, education duration, video viewing behavior, additional treatment use, and satisfaction will also be recorded.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet, Plantar Fascitis
- Being tested
- Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction, Video-Based Exercise Instruction
- Keywords
- Exercise Therapy, Patient Education, Non-Inferiority Trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise InstructionBehavioural
Face-to-face instruction and demonstration of a standardized home exercise program by an orthopedic physician. The program includes plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises.
Video-Based Exercise InstructionBehavioural
Access to a standardized home exercise video prepared by the study team via QR code or web link. Participants will be instructed to watch the video at home and perform the same exercise program used in the physician-led group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive standard plantar fasciitis education and physician-led face-to-face instruction of the home exercise program. The orthopedic physician will explain and demonstrate the exercises during the baseline visit. The exercise program will include plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction |
| Video-Based Exercise Instruction | Experimental | Participants in this arm will receive standard plantar fasciitis education and a QR code or web link providing access to a standardized exercise video prepared by the study team. The video will not be watched in the outpatient clinic; participants will be instructed to perform the exercises at home by watching the video. The exercise content, order, repetitions, and frequency will be identical to the physician-led group. Receives: Behavioral: Video-Based Exercise Instruction |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Foot Function Index Total/Index Score From Baseline to 3 Months
The Foot Function Index total/index score is a patient-reported measure of foot pain, disability, and activity limitation, converted to a 0-100 score. Higher scores indicate worse foot-related function. The primary endpoint will be the change from baseline to 3 months, calculated as baseline FFI score minus 3-month FFI score; higher positive values indicate greater clinical improvement.
Measured: Baseline and 3 months after randomization
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
Heel pain while walking during the previous week will be assessed using an 11-point numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain. Change scores will be calculated from baseline to each follow-up visit.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
Change in Foot Function Index Pain Subscale Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
The pain subscale of the Foot Function Index will be used to assess foot-related pain. Scores will be converted according to the standard Foot Function Index scoring method; higher scores indicate worse pain.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
Change in Foot Function Index Disability Subscale Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
The disability subscale of the Foot Function Index will be used to assess foot-related functional disability. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jun 2026
- Study start12 Feb 2026
- Primary completion12 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion12 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Plantar Fasciitis of Both FeetStudies 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
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction or standardized video-based exercise instruction. The exercise content will be identical in both groups; only the method of instruction will differ.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, güneş sarıkaya, Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital
- Investigators
- Güneş SARIKAYA, Principal investigator, Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07628218
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PF-RCT-NI-2026-001
- Other IDs
- 2025/12/147
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 29 May 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because the ethics approval and informed consent do not include public sharing of participant-level data. De-identified aggregate study results will be reported in scientific presentations and publications.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Clinical Effectiveness of Video-Based Exercise Training Compared With Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07628218
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PF-RCT-NI-2026-001
- Conditions
- Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet, Plantar Fascitis
- Keywords
- Exercise Therapy, Patient Education, Non-Inferiority Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Balikesir Ataturk City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 12 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 12 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Jun 2026 (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 prospective, single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial will compare physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction with standardized video-based exercise instruction in adults with plantar fasciitis. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either face-to-face exercise training by an orthopedic physician or access to a standardized exercise video via QR code/web link. The exercise content will be identical in both groups; only the method of instruction will differ. The primary outcome will be the change in the Foot Function Index total/index score from baseline to 3 months. Secondary outcomes will include pain score, Foot Function Index subscales, exercise knowledge, exercise adherence, education time, video viewing status, additional treatment requirement, and patient satisfaction.
Detailed description
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of chronic plantar heel pain and may lead to functional limitation and reduced quality of life. Exercise education is an important component of conservative treatment; however, in busy outpatient settings, the time available for detailed face-to-face instruction may be limited. Standardized video-based education may provide a practical alternative by delivering the same exercise content in a reproducible format.
This study will evaluate whether video-based exercise instruction is non-inferior to physician-led face-to-face instruction in patients with plantar fasciitis. All participants will receive standard information about plantar fasciitis, load management, footwear recommendations, weight control, short-term analgesic or anti-inflammatory use when needed, and heel pad or insole support. The home exercise program will be identical in both groups and will include plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises.
Assessments will be performed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization. Functional status will be assessed using the Foot Function Index, and pain will be measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Exercise knowledge, adherence, education duration, video viewing behavior, additional treatment use, and satisfaction will also be recorded.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either physician-led face-to-face exercise instruction or standardized video-based exercise instruction. The exercise content will be identical in both groups; only the method of instruction will differ.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction | Active comparator | Behavioral: Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise InstructionParticipants in this arm will receive standard plantar fasciitis education and physician-led face-to-face instruction of the home exercise program. The orthopedic physician will explain and demonstrate the exercises during the baseline visit. The exercise program will include plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises. |
| Video-Based Exercise Instruction | Experimental | Behavioral: Video-Based Exercise InstructionParticipants in this arm will receive standard plantar fasciitis education and a QR code or web link providing access to a standardized exercise video prepared by the study team. The video will not be watched in the outpatient clinic; participants will be instructed to perform the exercises at home by watching the video. The exercise content, order, repetitions, and frequency will be identical to the physician-led group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Adults aged 18 to 70 years
- Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
- Plantar heel pain lasting for at least 3 months
- Heel pain that is most prominent with the first steps in the morning or after rest
- Tenderness on palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Previous foot or ankle surgery on the affected side
- History of foot fracture, foot tumor, advanced neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy, or tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Corticosteroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, or other interventional treatment for plantar fasciitis within the last 6 months
- Inflammatory arthritis or systemic rheumatologic disease affecting the foot
- Severe knee or hip osteoarthritis limiting exercise performance
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise InstructionFace-to-face instruction and demonstration of a standardized home exercise program by an orthopedic physician. The program includes plantar fascia-specific stretching, gastrocnemius/soleus stretching, plantar fascia self-massage, gradual toe raises, and towel pull exercises. | Behavioural | Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction |
| Video-Based Exercise InstructionAccess to a standardized home exercise video prepared by the study team via QR code or web link. Participants will be instructed to watch the video at home and perform the same exercise program used in the physician-led group. | Behavioural | Video-Based Exercise Instruction |
Primary outcome
Change in Foot Function Index Total/Index Score From Baseline to 3 Months
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months after randomization
The Foot Function Index total/index score is a patient-reported measure of foot pain, disability, and activity limitation, converted to a 0-100 score. Higher scores indicate worse foot-related function. The primary endpoint will be the change from baseline to 3 months, calculated as baseline FFI score minus 3-month FFI score; higher positive values indicate greater clinical improvement.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
Change in Foot Function Index Pain Subscale Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
Change in Foot Function Index Disability Subscale Score From Baseline to 1 and 3 Months
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after randomization
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 14 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because the ethics approval and informed consent do not include public sharing of participant-level data. De-identified aggregate study results will be reported in scientific presentations and publications.
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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.
Güneş SARIKAYA principal investigator
Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Physician-Led Face-to-Face Exercise Instruction and Video-Based Exercise Instruction in people with Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet and Plantar Fascitis, run by Balikesir Ataturk City Hospital at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 8 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 14 Oct 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Güneş SARIKAYA, ortopedic surgeon (905436733113, gunessarikaya05@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Foot Function Index Total/Index Score From Baseline to 3 Months (time frame: Baseline and 3 months after randomization). 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 14 Oct 2026.