A comparative study between two strapping techniques for the short-term treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Abstract

AIM The aim of this study is to determine whether 'plantar fasciitis support' type of taping technique or 'plantar fasciitis taping' method is more effective in the short term treatment of plantar fasciitis pain in Maltese subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD A quasi-experimental matched subject design study was conducted on Maltese subjects in the eight Health Centres in Malta from September 2008 to December 2008. Twelve newly-diagnosed subjects suffering from plantar fasciitis were recruited from the Podiatry Clinic offered by the Maltese Primary Care System. The sample comprised six participants undergoing 'plantar fasciitis support' taping technique and six participants undergoing 'plantar fasciitis taping' method. The subjects were randomly allocated to the two groups. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain assessment tool was used to measure the perceived pain during activities of daily living between the two types of taping techniques. A patient profile sought information on demographic data and pain assessment. Data abstracted included number of standing hours, body mass index, age, gender and perceived pain during activities of daily living. RESULTS The study found a significant difference (p= 0.001) between 'plantar fasciitis support' and 'plantar fasciitis taping' techniques in the short term treatment of plantar fasciitis pain, where 'Plantar fasciitis support' technique was found to be more significantly effective than 'plantar fasciitis taping' in reducing the perceived pain of plantar fasciitis during activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS A significant difference was found related to the effectiveness of plantar fasciitis pain between 'plantar fasciitis support' and 'plantar fasciitis taping' techniques. The results demonstrated the efficacy of the two types of low-Dye taping techniques in reducing pain during activities of daily living between the beginning and the end of the study. The findings have highlighted the efficacy of managing plantar fasciitis pain from a conservative approach whilst reducing the need for more invasive procedures. Recommendations aim at introducing the application of tape in the Podiatric department as a common practice as well as aiming at incorporating it as part of the undergraduate study programme in the course curriculum.