Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common soft tissue disorders that causes inferior heel and rear foot pain. Monophasic pulsed current (MPC) is a method of electrical stimulation (ES) clinically used to promote and accelerate wound healing processes. The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to investigate the effect of MPC and MPC coupled with plantar fascia specific stretching exercises (SE) in the treatment of PF. Methods: Forty four participants (twenty- two subjects were women; 22 were men with a mean age of 49 ± 10.6 years) diagnosed with PF were randomly allocated to receive MPC (n=22) or MPC coupled with plantar fascia specific SE (n=22). Prior to treatment, participants underwent a baseline evaluation. Heel pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), heel tenderness threshold was quantified using a handheld pressure algometer (PA), the functional activities level was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (ADL/FAAM), and the sagittal thickness (ST) of the proximal insertion of the plantar fascia was measured with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US). Following treatment, post intervention evaluation was performed using the same outcome measures.

LLU Discipline

Physical Therapy

Department

Physical Therapy

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Petrofsky, Jerrold S.

Second Advisor

Daher, Noha S.

Third Advisor

Laymon, Michael S.

Fourth Advisor

Lohman, Everett B.

Fifth Advisor

Syed, Hasan M.

Degree Name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Degree Level

D.Sc.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

6-2014

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Fasciitis - Plantar - Therapy; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Physical Therapy Modalities; Severity of Illness Index; Pain Measurement

Subject - Local

Plantar Fasciitis; Soft Tissue Disorders; Monophasic Pulsed Current; Heel Pain; Heel Tenderness Threshold; Foot and Ankle Ability Measure

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

177

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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