Immediate Effects of Calf and Plantar Fascia Manual Therapy

December 21, 2025 updated by: JiYoung Kim

Immediate Remote Effects of Myofascial Release Versus the Fascial Distortion Model on Flexibility and Postural Control Via the Superficial Back Line: A Randomized Pilot Study

This study investigated the immediate effects of two manual therapy approaches, myofascial release and the fascial distortion model, applied to the calf and plantar fascia in healthy adults. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. Flexibility, balance, and postural control were assessed before and after the intervention to examine potential remote effects along the superficial back line. The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term functional effects of these two manual therapy techniques.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This randomized pilot study included healthy adult participants who were assigned to either a myofascial release group or a fascial distortion model group. Manual therapy was applied to the calf muscles and plantar fascia of the dominant lower extremity. Outcome measures related to flexibility, balance, and postural control were assessed immediately before and after the intervention. The study was designed to explore short-term functional changes and to compare the effects of two different manual therapy techniques.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • South Korea
    • Gyeongsangnam-do
      • Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
        • Gyeongsangnam-do

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy adults in their 20s (aged 20-29 years).
  • Individuals without current musculoskeletal pain or functional limitations.
  • Individuals able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of lower extremity injury within the past 6 months.
  • Previous experience with plantar fascia manual therapy.
  • Presence of balance disorders or neurological impairments.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Myofascial Release
Participants receive myofascial release to the calf muscles and plantar fascia.
Other: Myofascial Release
Myofascial release applied to the calf muscles and plantar fascia using gentle, sustained manual pressure.
Experimental: Fascial Distortion Model
Participants receive Fascial Distortion Model treatment to the calf muscles and plantar fascia.
Other: Fascial Distortion Model
Fascial Distortion Model techniques applied to the calf muscles and plantar fascia using targeted manual pressure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test was used to assess ankle dorsiflexion range of motion by measuring the maximum distance (cm) from the great toe to the wall while maintaining heel contact.
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
The Straight Leg Raise test was used to assess hamstring flexibility. With the participant in a supine position, the hip was passively flexed with the knee fully extended, and the maximum hip flexion angle (degrees) was measured using a goniometer.
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
The Functional Reach Test was used to assess dynamic balance. Participants stood upright and reached forward as far as possible without stepping or losing balance. The distance (cm) between the starting position and the maximal forward reach was recorded.
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Single-Leg Hop for Distance Test (SLHD)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Single-Leg Hop for Distance Test (SLHD)
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Bunkie Test (BT)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
The Bunkie Test was used to assess lower-extremity and trunk muscular endurance related to the Superficial Back Line. Participants maintained the test position as long as possible, and the holding time (seconds) was recorded.
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Finger-to-Floor Distance Test (FFD)
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
The Finger-to-Floor Distance test was used to evaluate trunk and posterior chain flexibility. Participants bent forward from a standing position with knees extended, and the vertical distance (cm) between the fingertips and the floor was measured.
Immediately before and immediately after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
JiYoung Kim

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 31, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 21, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 21, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 21, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • JYK-2025-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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