Effects of Low-Dye Taping Compared to Calcaneal Taping in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

Overview

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by inflammation and microtears of the plantar fascia, leading to heel pain, particularly during initial steps after rest. It negatively impacts gait, mobility, and overall quality of life. Physiotherapy interventions such as stretching, strengthening, electrotherapy, and taping techniques are commonly used for management. Among these, Low-Dye taping and calcaneal taping provide biomechanical support by reducing strain on the plantar fascia and improving foot posture; however, comparative evidence between the two is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Low-Dye taping versus calcaneal taping in reducing pain and improving foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. A total of 36 participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group and treated over a two-week period. Outcome measures will include pain (VAS), functional ability (FFI), ankle range of motion (goniometer), and gait analysis, assessed before and after intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v27, with statistical significance set at p \< 0.05.

Detailed description

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by inflammation and micro tears of the plantar fascia, often resulting in sharp heel pain during the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest. It significantly affects gait, functional mobility, and quality of life. Conservative physiotherapy interventions such as stretching, strengthening, and electrotherapy are widely used. Taping techniques like Low-Dye and Calcaneal taping offer biomechanical support by reducing strain on the plantar fascia, improving foot posture, and alleviating symptoms. Despite the frequent use of both techniques, there is a lack of direct comparative evidence to guide best practice. The objective of this research study is to compare the effectiveness of low dye taping and calcaneal taping in reducing pain and improving foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. 36 Participants clinically diagnosed with plantar fasciitis will be randomly allocated to either the LDT (low dye taping) groupor theCT (calcaneal taping) group. The intervention will be administered over a fixed period.

Outcome measures will include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Foot Function Index (FFI) for functional limitation, goniometer for ankle rangeof motion and observational gait analysis recorded before and after the intervention. A total of 36 participants will be divided into two groups, group A (LDT) and group B (CT), according to the inclusion criteria such as clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, age range, and absence of other foot or systemic pathologies.

Informed consent will be obtained. Baseline data, including VAS, FFI scores, goniometric measurements and gait analysis will be recorded, each participant will receive taping for 2 weeks. Post-intervention scores will be collected. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v27. Descriptive statistically will summarize demographics.

Inferential statistics (paired-t- test /independent t test) will compare pre- and post-treatment changes within and between groups with significance of p \<0.05.

Interventions

• Procedure Low Dye Taping
  1. Taping through standard protocol 2. Conventional physical therapy 1. Calf and fascia stretch 2. Ultrasound therapy Duration: 2 weeks Frequency: 3 sessions per week (Total = 6 sessions) Mode: Continuous mode for chronic symptoms Frequency (Hz): 1 MHz (for deep tissues like plantar fascia) Intensity: 1.0 - 1.5 W/cm² (start with 1.0 and progress based on tolerance) Treatment time: 5-8 minutes per session Applicator size: Small (2-5 cm² sound head) Technique: * Apply coupling
• Procedure Calcaneal Taping
  1. Taping through standard protocol 2. Conventional physical therapy 1. Calf and fascia stretch 2. Ultrasound therapy Duration: 2 weeks Frequency: 3 sessions per week (Total = 6 sessions) Mode: Continuous mode for chronic symptoms Frequency (Hz): 1 MHz (for deep tissues like plantar fascia) Intensity: 1.0 - 1.5 W/cm² (start with 1.0 and progress based on tolerance) Treatment time: 5-8 minutes per session Applicator size: Small (2-5 cm² sound head) Technique: * Apply coupling

Primary outcome measures

• Pain Intensity [Time frame: groups will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks to evaluate treatment outcomes.]
• Foot Functional Index [Time frame: groups will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks to evaluate treatment outcomes.]
• Range of Motion of foot [Time frame: groups will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks to evaluate treatment outcomes.]
• Step Length [Time frame: groups will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks to evaluate treatment outcomes]
• Stride Length [Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks]
• Cadence [Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks]
• Walking Speed [Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks]
• Gait Cycle Time [Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Adults of 19 - 44 years old age.
• Both genders will be included
• Pain in plantar heel lasting more than three months
• Clinical diagnosis of unilateral PF in compliance with the American
• physical therapy association's (APTA) Orthopedic Section clinical practice
• guidelines
• Positive windlass test
• Negative tarsal tunnel tests
• Limited active and passive talocrural joint dorsiflexion range of motion
• Pain on the inner side of the heel is most noticeable with the first steps after
• rest and tends to worsen after standing or walking for a long time.
• Willing and capable of adhering to the study procedure and completing follow-up
• examinations.
• Planter fascia tests i.e. windlass mechanism, hop test, stair climbing.
• Sedentary individuals (no exercise plan followed in last 3 months)

Exclusion criteria

• • Previous surgical intervention for plantar fasciitis.

• Congenital abnormalities of foot.
• Lower extremities affected by systemic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis,
• diabetes or peripheral neuropathy.
• The presence of additional foot disorders, such as stress fractures, Achilles
• tendinopathy, or nerve entrapment syndromes.
• Any contraindications to taping, such as skin sensitivity or allergy.
• Not willing or not capable of adhering to the study procedure and completing follow-
• up examinations.
• Pregnant women, mental illness, immune suppressed patients, patients with
• peripheral vascular disease, thrombocytopenia patients, anti-coagulant therapy
• patients and post mastectomy.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center

• Foundation University Islamabad — Islamabad

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07544732 · FUI/FUCP/CTR/06.26/AreejMazhar

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗