AB1239-HPR The Effects of Kinesiologic Taping and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) on Functional Outcomes in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis – a Randomized Trial
Authors: O. Aydoğdu, Z. Sarı, Z. Aras, U.S. Yurdalan
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that affects up to 10% of the population and accounts for approximately 600,000 outpatient visits annually (1,2). Multiple treatment options range from conservative to surgical interventions, although studies of the effectiveness of each modality have had conflicting results (1). The preferred treatment is physiotherapy, which has the aims of suppressing the pain, restoring the mechanical function of plantar fascia and improving the gait (2). In addition, treatments for plantar fasciitis using shockwaves have shown good results with regard to pain relief and functional improvement (3). However, although alleviating symptoms, nonsurgical interventions, such as rest, exercise, and modalities do not address the underlying pathology of poor foot biomechanics, and therefore may only provide temporary relief (4). On the other hand, kinesiologic taping, applying to address the underlying the problem of poor foot biomechanics can be used as an adjunct to ESWT for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. <h3>Objectives</h3> It is hypothesized that kinesiologic taping applied as an adjunct to ESWT will show a greater decrease in pain, and an increase in functional activity, and mobility compared to ESWT in patients with plantar fasciitis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare kinesiologic taping with ESWT and ESWT for plantar fasciitis. <h3>Methods</h3> This was a randomized, prospective, comparative clinical study. Forty five patients with a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were divided randomly into two treatment groups. Twenty five subjects in intervention group received kinesiologic taping and ESWT for one week, while twenty subjects in control group only received ESWT. Outcomes were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) for functionality and Time Up&amp;Go Test for mobility. Evaluations were assessed at baseline before treatment and one week after treatment. <h3>Results</h3> It was found that there were significant improvements in all measurements for post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in both groups (p&lt;0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between post-treatment values of two groups (p&gt;0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Treatment of plantar fasciitis with kinesiologic taping plus ESWT resulted in improved functional outcomes. Kinesiologic taping plus ESWT had no superiority in terms of functional outcomes compared to ESWT. <h3>References</h3> Covey CJ, Mulder MD. Plantar fasciitis: How best to treat? J Fam Pract. 2013 Sep;62(9):466-71. Grecco MV, Brech GC, Greve JM. One-year treatment follow-up of plantar fasciitis: radial shockwaves vs. conventional physiotherapy. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013;68(8):1089-95. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(08)05. Höfling I, Joukainen A, Venesmaa P, Kröger H. Preliminary experience of a single session of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. Foot Ankle Int. 2008 Feb;29(2):150-4. doi: 10.3113/FAI.2008.0150. Hyland MR, Webber-Gaffney A, Cohen L, Lichtman PT. Randomized controlled trial of calcaneal taping, sham taping, and plantar fascia stretching for the short-term management of plantar heel pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006 Jun;36(6):364-71. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared