Plantar FascitisNCT07916363
Active Release Technique vs. Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization for Plantar Pain
A study testing Active Release Technique (ART) and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by University of Management and Technology Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain encountered in musculoskeletal and orthopedic physiotherapy practice. It is characterized by degenerative changes at the origin of the plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal tubercle, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations during… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Plantar Fascitis
- What is being tested?
- Active Release Technique (ART) and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 29 Oct 2026to 31 Dec 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 25 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 25 to 60 years. Presence of unilateral plantar fasciitis. Participants with positive Windlass test. Symptoms more than 6 weeks of duration diagnosed by orthopaedician. Reported pain with the first step out of the bed in the morning or with the first step after prolonged immobilization and presence of heel pain with prolonged standing on the medial calcaneal tubercle plantar aponeurosis confirmed by palpation. both male and female will be included. Pain intensity of ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
- Participants willing to provide informed consent and comply with the treatment protocol.
Who cannot join
- Reported previous history of cancer, peripheral vascular diseases, lower extremity fractures Had a trauma or history of surgery to the foot or ankle. Diabetic neuropathy. People who have undergone steroid therapy, platelet rich plasma therapy in the past 3 months.
- Severe foot deformities (e.g., severe pes planus or pes cavus) requiring specialized management.
- Open wounds, skin infections, or allergies preventing the application of taping.
- Presence of inflammatory or systemic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, or Gout.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
University of Management & Technology
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Active Release Technique Versus Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, Functional Outcomes and Disability in Subjects With Plantar
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain encountered in musculoskeletal and orthopedic physiotherapy practice. It is characterized by degenerative changes at the origin of the plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal tubercle, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations during weight-bearing activities. Patients typically report sharp heel pain that is most severe during the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest, which significantly affects gait and daily functional activities.Current evidence suggests that plantar fasciitis is not purely an inflammatory condition but rather a degenerative fasciopathy resulting from repetitive microtrauma, abnormal foot biomechanics, prolonged standing, obesity, and tightness of the gastrosoleus complex. These mechanical stressors lead to microtears, collagen degeneration, and thickening of the plantar fascia, ultimately resulting in chronic pain and disability.Objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization on pain, function, and disability in patients with plantar fasciitis. All the subjects who will eligible for the criteria will randomly allocated in to Group A(ART) and Group B(DSTM).Taping will be our baseline treatment.. This study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted at Pro Care Physiotherapy Clinic, Ittefaq Hospital, and Iffat Anwar Medical Complex over a period of four months. A total of 62 participants will be recruited using probability convenient sampling and randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive Active Release Technique along with baseline taping, while Group B will receive Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization along with baseline taping. Both groups will receive three sessions per week for four weeks.Outcome measures will include the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) to assess pain and functional disability. Assessments will be taken at baseline, 2nd week, and 4th week. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 24, and both intra-group and inter-group comparisons will be performed using appropriate statistical tests.
- Conditions
- Plantar Fascitis
- Being tested
- Active Release Technique (ART), Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Keywords
- plantar fascitis, Active release technique, Soft tissue mobilization, Dynamic soft tissue technique, Manual therapy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active Release Technique (ART)Other
The patient will sit in a long-sitting position while the therapist assesses muscle and fascial tightness using their hands. The therapist applies specific pressure along the affected tissue from origin to insertion while the muscle is shortened. The patient is then instructed to lengthen the muscle by dorsiflexing the foot. Each session lasts approximately 10 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, along with baseline taping.
Dynamic Soft Tissue MobilizationOther
The therapist will perform 10 minutes of deep, forceful soft tissue mobilization on tight and painful areas of the posterior calf muscles, applying pressure across the muscle fibers medially and laterally. The patient will also perform a passive straight leg raise combined with ankle dorsiflexion using a long belt to improve neural mobility.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Release Technique (ART) | Experimental | The patient will sit in a long-sitting position while the therapist assesses muscle and fascial tightness using their hands. The therapist applies specific pressure along the affected tissue from origin to insertion while the muscle is shortened. The patient is then instructed to lengthen the muscle by dorsiflexing the foot. Each session lasts approximately 10 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, along with baseline taping. Receives: Other: Active Release Technique (ART) |
| Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization | Active comparator | The therapist will perform 10 minutes of deep, forceful soft tissue mobilization on tight and painful areas of the posterior calf muscles, applying pressure across the muscle fibers medially and laterally. The patient will also perform a passive straight leg raise combined with ankle dorsiflexion using a long belt to improve neural mobility. Receives: Other: Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain by Numerical Rating Scale (NPRS)
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) is most frequently used instruments to measure pain. The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1- 3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains
(interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs).
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Disability by Foot Function Index (FFI)
The Foot Function Index (FFI) is a widely used patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess the impact of foot pathology on pain, disability, and activity limitation.The questionnaire consists of 23 items divided into three subscales: Pain (9 items), Disability (9 items), and Activity Limitation (5 items). The questions assess foot pain severity and the extent to which foot problems affect daily functional activities such as walking, standing, climbing stairs, and participation in routine activities.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Joint Range of Motion by Goniometer
The patient's knee will be flexed to 30°, with the ankle in the anatomical position. The goniometer axis will be placed near the lateral ankle, with the stationary arm aligned along the fibula and the movable arm along the fifth metatarsal. The examiner will measure both passive and active ankle dorsiflexion using a goniometer. The normal range of ankle dorsiflexion is approximately 15°-20°.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 2026
- Study start29 Oct 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Management and Technology Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nosheen Manzoor, University of Management and Technology Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07916363
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RE-207-2026
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Active Release Technique Versus Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Range of Motion, Functional Outcomes and Disability in Subjects With Plantar
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07916363
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RE-207-2026
- Conditions
- Plantar Fascitis
- Keywords
- plantar fascitis, Active release technique, Soft tissue mobilization, Dynamic soft tissue technique, Manual therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Management and Technology LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 29 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 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.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain encountered in musculoskeletal and orthopedic physiotherapy practice. It is characterized by degenerative changes at the origin of the plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal tubercle, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations during weight-bearing activities. Patients typically report sharp heel pain that is most severe during the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest, which significantly affects gait and daily functional activities.Current evidence suggests that plantar fasciitis is not purely an inflammatory condition but rather a degenerative fasciopathy resulting from repetitive microtrauma, abnormal foot biomechanics, prolonged standing, obesity, and tightness of the gastrosoleus complex. These mechanical stressors lead to microtears, collagen degeneration, and thickening of the plantar fascia, ultimately resulting in chronic pain and disability.Objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization on pain, function, and disability in patients with plantar fasciitis. All the subjects who will eligible for the criteria will randomly allocated in to Group A(ART) and Group B(DSTM).Taping will be our baseline treatment.. This study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted at Pro Care Physiotherapy Clinic, Ittefaq Hospital, and Iffat Anwar Medical Complex over a period of four months. A total of 62 participants will be recruited using probability convenient sampling and randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive Active Release Technique along with baseline taping, while Group B will receive Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization along with baseline taping. Both groups will receive three sessions per week for four weeks.Outcome measures will include the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) to assess pain and functional disability. Assessments will be taken at baseline, 2nd week, and 4th week. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 24, and both intra-group and inter-group comparisons will be performed using appropriate statistical tests.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Release Technique (ART) | Experimental | Other: Active Release Technique (ART)The patient will sit in a long-sitting position while the therapist assesses muscle and fascial tightness using their hands. The therapist applies specific pressure along the affected tissue from origin to insertion while the muscle is shortened. The patient is then instructed to lengthen the muscle by dorsiflexing the foot. Each session lasts approximately 10 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, along with baseline taping. |
| Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization | Active comparator | Other: Dynamic Soft Tissue MobilizationThe therapist will perform 10 minutes of deep, forceful soft tissue mobilization on tight and painful areas of the posterior calf muscles, applying pressure across the muscle fibers medially and laterally. The patient will also perform a passive straight leg raise combined with ankle dorsiflexion using a long belt to improve neural mobility. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Age 25 to 60 years. Presence of unilateral plantar fasciitis. Participants with positive Windlass test. Symptoms more than 6 weeks of duration diagnosed by orthopaedician. Reported pain with the first step out of the bed in the morning or with the first step after prolonged immobilization and presence of heel pain with prolonged standing on the medial calcaneal tubercle plantar aponeurosis confirmed by palpation. both male and female will be included. Pain intensity of ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
- Participants willing to provide informed consent and comply with the treatment protocol.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Reported previous history of cancer, peripheral vascular diseases, lower extremity fractures Had a trauma or history of surgery to the foot or ankle. Diabetic neuropathy. People who have undergone steroid therapy, platelet rich plasma therapy in the past 3 months.
- Severe foot deformities (e.g., severe pes planus or pes cavus) requiring specialized management.
- Open wounds, skin infections, or allergies preventing the application of taping.
- Presence of inflammatory or systemic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, or Gout.
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 Technique (ART)The patient will sit in a long-sitting position while the therapist assesses muscle and fascial tightness using their hands. The therapist applies specific pressure along the affected tissue from origin to insertion while the muscle is shortened. The patient is then instructed to lengthen the muscle by dorsiflexing the foot. Each session lasts approximately 10 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, along with baseline taping. | Other | Active Release Technique (ART) |
| Dynamic Soft Tissue MobilizationThe therapist will perform 10 minutes of deep, forceful soft tissue mobilization on tight and painful areas of the posterior calf muscles, applying pressure across the muscle fibers medially and laterally. The patient will also perform a passive straight leg raise combined with ankle dorsiflexion using a long belt to improve neural mobility. | Other | Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization |
Primary outcome
Pain by Numerical Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) is most frequently used instruments to measure pain. The 11-point numeric with 0 representing No pain, 1- 3 representing Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs), 4-6 representing Moderate Pains (interferes significantly with ADLs), 7-10 representing Sever Pain (disabling, unable to perform ADLs).
Disability by Foot Function Index (FFI)
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
The Foot Function Index (FFI) is a widely used patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess the impact of foot pathology on pain, disability, and activity limitation.The questionnaire consists of 23 items divided into three subscales: Pain (9 items), Disability (9 items), and Activity Limitation (5 items). The questions assess foot pain severity and the extent to which foot problems affect daily functional activities such as walking, standing, climbing stairs, and participation in routine activities.
Joint Range of Motion by Goniometer
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
The patient's knee will be flexed to 30°, with the ankle in the anatomical position. The goniometer axis will be placed near the lateral ankle, with the stationary arm aligned along the fibula and the movable arm along the fifth metatarsal. The examiner will measure both passive and active ankle dorsiflexion using a goniometer. The normal range of ankle dorsiflexion is approximately 15°-20°.
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 4 Nov 2026.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The results data collected , de-identified individual participant data will be shared.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
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 (ART) and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization in people with Plantar Fascitis, run by University of Management and Technology Lahore 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 2 inclusion and 4 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 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?
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?
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?
Pain by Numerical Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: At baseline and after 6 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 4 Nov 2026.