A Comparison of the Efficacy of Thai Traditional Massage and Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial

Krongkaew Tochaiwat; Suttatip  Yingdilukpantakul; Jiraporn  Tantipongsirikul

Authors

Krongkaew Tochaiwat Department of Rehabilitation Medical, Banglamung Hospital, Chonburi Province
Suttatip Yingdilukpantakul Department of Rehabilitation Medical, Banglamung Hospital, Chonburi Province
Jiraporn Tantipongsirikul Department of Rehabilitation Medical, Banglamung Hospital, Chonburi Province

Keywords:

chronic plantar fasciitis, Thai traditional massage, extracorporeal shockwave therapy

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Thai traditional massage (TTM) and focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) in reducing pain and improving foot function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis (PF)

Study design: A randomized, single-blinded, non-inferiority clinical trial

Setting: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Banglamung Hospital in Chonburi, Thailand. Conducted between September 2021 and August 2022

Subjects: Sixty-six patients (≥ 18 years) with chronic plantar fasciitis

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (n = 33 each) using a block-of-four method. The interven-tion group received TTM once a week for four weeks, and the control group received fESWT using a BJC-80414 device for the same period. Both groups were instructed to perform daily muscle stretching exercises. Outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the foot function Index (FFI) at baseline and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks.

Results: The patients’ characteristics in the TTM and fESWT groups showed no significant differences. After treatment, however, The TTM and fESWT groups were significantly different, with the TTM group having lower pain scores than the fESWT group. Comparison of VAS and FFI at the two-week timepoint found they were not different in FFI (pain, disability, activity limitation) after TTM between the two groups. There was, however, a statistically significantly difference at weeks 4 and 8 at the p = 0.05 level. A comparison of VAS and FFI at baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment showed the average VAS scores were statistically significant decreased, whereas FFI (pain, disability, activity limitation) scores were statistically significantly increased at those time points.

Conclusions: The treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis using either Thai traditional massage or focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy can statistically significantly reduce pain and improve foot functionality. However, there is no statistically significant difference in foot functionality between the two treatment methods.

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