Effects of Foot-Core Strengthening and Sensorimotor Re-training With Routine Physical Therapy on Pain, Function, and Plantar Pressure in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis.

This study aims to compare the effects of foot core strengthening and sensorimotor re-training, each combined with routine physical therapy, on pain, functional ability, and plantar pressure in patients with Plantar Fasciitis.

Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving foot core strengthening with routine physical therapy and the other receiving sensorimotor re-training with routine physical therapy. The study will evaluate which intervention is more effective in reducing pain, improving function, and normalizing plantar pressure distribution.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy; Other: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy

Detailed Description

Plantar Fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by heel pain, reduced functional capacity, and altered plantar pressure distribution. It is often associated with overuse, poor biomechanics, and weakness of intrinsic foot muscles.

Routine physical therapy management includes stretching exercises ( plantar fascia and calf stretching), strengthening, manual therapy, and physical modalities. However, recent rehabilitation approaches emphasize the importance of intrinsic muscle strengthening and sensorimotor control.

This study is designed to compare two active rehabilitation approaches combined with routine physical therapy:

Group A: Foot Core Strengthening + Routine Physical Therapy

Participants in this group will receive:

Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises ( short foot exercise, toe curls) Routine physical therapy (stretching, manual therapy, modalities) This approach aims to improve medial longitudinal arch support, enhance foot stability, and reduce mechanical stress on the plantar fascia.

Group B: Sensorimotor Re-training + Routine Physical Therapy

Participants in this group will receive:

Sensorimotor and proprioceptive training ( balance exercises, unstable surface training) Routine physical therapy (stretching, manual therapy, modalities) This approach focuses on improving neuromuscular control, proprioception, and dynamic stability of the foot and ankle.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Muqaddas Muqadds; Phone Number: +92 306 5821079; Email: mmuqadas614@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Nabeela Dawood; Phone Number: +92 331 5337445; Email: nabeela.dawood@ubas.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
      • Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 35-60 Years Sharp and worsen pain with the first few steps out of bed in morning. Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis of at least three months duration -

Exclusion Criteria:

History of ankle and foot surgery Diagnosis for Peripheral neuropathy, Tarsal tunnel syndrome Corticosteroid injection into heel within the last three months. Diagnosed neurological and rheumatological disease calcaneal fractures Pregnant Women-

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: Group A: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy; Participants in this group will receive foot core strengthening exercises targeting intrinsic foot muscles along with routine physical therapy including stretching, manual therapy, and physical modalities for management of Plantar Fasciitis.	Other: Foot Core Strengthening with Routine Physical Therapy; Participants will receive a structured foot core strengthening program targeting intrinsic foot muscles, including exercises such as short foot exercise, toe curls, toe spreading, and marble pickup. These exercises aim to improve medial longitudinal arch stability and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. In addition, routine physical therapy will be provided, including plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius-soleus stretching, manual therapy techniques, and appropriate physical modalities. Sessions will be conducted 3-5 times per week for a duration of 4-8 weeks, along with a prescribed home exercise program.
Experimental: Group B: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy; Participants in this group will receive sensorimotor and proprioceptive training along with routine physical therapy including stretching, manual therapy, and physical modalities for management of Plantar Fasciitis.	Other: Sensorimotor Re-training with Routine Physical Therapy; Participants will receive a structured sensorimotor re-training program focusing on proprioception, balance, and neuromuscular control. Exercises will include single-leg stance, balance training on stable and unstable surfaces, wobble board exercises, and gait training. Routine physical therapy will also be provided, including plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius-soleus stretching, manual therapy techniques, and appropriate physical modalities. Sessions will be conducted 3-5 times per week for a duration of 4-8 weeks, along with a prescribed home exercise program.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Intensity	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their heel pain during first steps in the morning and during activity. It is a reliable tool to measure pain severity in patients with Plantar Fasciitis.	Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Plantar Pressure Distribution	Plantar pressure will be measured using a pressure analysis system to evaluate changes in load distribution across different regions of the foot during standing and walking.	Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention
Foot Function	Functional ability will be evaluated using the Foot Function Index (FFI), which assesses pain, disability, and activity limitation related to foot conditions.	Baseline and at the end of 4-8 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
• Investigators: Study Chair: Nabeela Dawood, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kamonseki DH, Goncalves GA, Yi LC, Junior IL. Effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening exercises for the foot and hip in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial. Man Ther. 2016 Jun;23:76-82. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.10.006. Epub 2015 Oct 30.
• Hamstra-Wright KL, Huxel Bliven KC, Bay RC, Aydemir B. Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis in Physically Active Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Health. 2021 May-Jun;13(3):296-303. doi: 10.1177/1941738120970976. Epub 2021 Feb 3.
• Scherger JE. Consider Muscle Strengthening for Plantar Fasciitis. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Oct 1;98(7):407. No abstract available.
• Tahririan MA, Motififard M, Tahmasebi MN, Siavashi B. Plantar fasciitis. J Res Med Sci. 2012 Aug;17(8):799-804.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 28, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Plantar Pressure; Plantar Fasciitis; Sensorimotor Training; Foot Function; Foot Core Strengthening
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Diseases; Fasciitis; Fasciitis, Plantar
• Other Study ID Numbers: UBS/ERB/26/04/029

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