Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Foam Rolling (IASTM)

The Role of Instrumental Soft Tissue Mobilization and Foam Rolling in Managing Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study compares instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and foam roller therapy in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Both groups receive structured exercises. The study evaluates changes in pain, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and functional ability after treatment to determine which intervention is more effective for improving symptoms and physical function.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM); Other: Foam Roller Therapy

Detailed Description

This randomized comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and foam roller therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by heel pain and reduced functional mobility, often associated with restricted ankle dorsiflexion and plantar fascia tightness.

Participants diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were recruited from a physiotherapy outpatient department and randomly allocated into two intervention groups. Group A received instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied to the plantar fascia and surrounding soft tissues along with a structured exercise program. Group B received foam roller therapy targeting the plantar fascia region in addition to the same exercise protocol. Both interventions were administered over a defined treatment period under physiotherapist supervision.

The study aimed to compare the effects of these interventions on pain intensity, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and functional disability related to plantar fasciitis. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The findings of this study may help identify effective physiotherapy interventions for improving pain and functional outcomes in individuals with plantar fasciitis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 56
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• India
  • Haryana
    • Faridabad, Haryana, India, 121004
      • MRIIRS

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 18 and 45 years
• Pain on palpation at the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus
• Pain during the first steps in the morning that decreases after walking
• Symptoms present for more than one month
• Both male and female participants were included Exclusion Criteria
• History of foot surgery
• Inflammatory rheumatic disease
• Previous steroid injection
• Radiculopathy affecting the lower limb

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1; IASTM + Exercise	Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM); Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied to the plantar fascia and surrounding soft tissues to improve tissue mobility and reduce pain.
Active Comparator: 2; Foam Roller + Exercise	Other: Foam Roller Therapy; Self-myofascial release using a foam roller applied to the plantar fascia region to reduce pain and improve flexibility.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).	Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured in degrees using a goniometer	Ankle range of motion will be measured in degrees using a universal goniometer.	Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Health-related quality of life measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire	Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, which evaluates physical and mental health domains. Each domain is scored separately and then transformed to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate better health status and quality of life.	Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)
Foot pain and disability measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI)	Foot function and disability related to plantar fasciitis were measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire. Each item of the Foot Function Index (FFI) is rated on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain or difficulty and 10 indicates the worst pain or extreme difficulty. Scores for the answered items in each subscale are summed and divided by the maximum possible score for that subscale, and the result is multiplied by 100 to obtain a percentage score (FFI Score = Sum of item scores / Maximum possible score × 100). The scores range from 0% to 100%, where 0% represents no pain or disability and 100% represents maximum pain and disability. Higher scores indicate greater pain, functional limitation, and disability related to foot problems. A total FFI score can be calculated by averaging the three subscale scores: Pain, Disability, and Activity Limitation.	Pre (baseline) and Post (4 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 11, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Plantar Fasciitis; Pain Reduction; Functional Improvement; Foam Rolling; Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases; Fasciitis; Fasciitis, Plantar
• Other Study ID Numbers: IASTMvsFR; MRIIRS/SAHS/PT/2024-25/009 (Other Grant/Funding Number: MRIIRS)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to institutional and ethical restrictions related to participant confidentiality and consent agreements. However, summarized data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No