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Ice Packs Versus Cold Baths Combined With Standard Exercise Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

10 luglio 2026 aggiornato da: Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Comparative Efficacy of Ice Packs Versus Cold Baths With Standard Exercise Therapy in the Management of Plantar Fasciitis

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of ice pack therapy and cold bath immersion when combined with standard exercise therapy in adults with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that can limit daily activities and reduce quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ice pack therapy or cold bath therapy in addition to the same standardized exercise program. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the secondary outcome will be foot function measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI). The findings of this study may help identify the more effective cryotherapy method for reducing pain and improving function in individuals with plantar fasciitis.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of plantar heel pain and is associated with functional limitations, reduced mobility, and impaired quality of life. Conservative management is considered the first-line treatment and typically includes therapeutic exercises, stretching, strengthening, patient education, and cryotherapy. Although cryotherapy is widely used to relieve pain and reduce tissue inflammation, there is limited evidence comparing the effectiveness of different cryotherapy modalities in patients with plantar fasciitis.

This study is a prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the clinical effectiveness of ice pack application and cold bath immersion when both are combined with a standardized exercise therapy program.

Eligible adults diagnosed with plantar fasciitis will be randomly allocated into one of two intervention groups:

Group A: Ice pack therapy combined with standard exercise therapy. Group B: Cold bath immersion combined with standard exercise therapy.

Both groups will receive identical exercise therapy consisting of plantar fascia stretching, calf muscle stretching, eccentric heel raises, and balance training. Cryotherapy will be administered for 10 minutes per session, five sessions per week, for two weeks.

The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The secondary outcome will be functional disability measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI). Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and immediately after completion of the two-week intervention period.

The study hypothesizes that one cryotherapy modality may provide superior pain relief and functional improvement when combined with standard exercise therapy. The results are expected to provide evidence for selecting the most effective, low-cost, and easily applicable cryotherapy intervention for conservative management of plantar fasciitis and may contribute to evidence-based physiotherapy practice.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

40

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

  • Pakistan
    • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
      • Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
        • Reclutamento
        • Shahab Orthopedic and General Hospital
        • Contatto:

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto
  • Adulto più anziano

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
  • Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral Plantar Fasciitis.
  • Heel pain localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle.
  • Positive Windlass test.
  • Pain intensity of ≥4 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
  • Willing to comply with the study protocol and attend all treatment and assessment sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of foot or ankle surgery within the previous 6 months.
  • Corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis within the previous month.
  • Neurological disorders affecting the lower limb.
  • Peripheral vascular disease or other vascular disorders affecting the lower limb.
  • Open wounds, skin infections, or contraindications to cryotherapy.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Participation in another interventional clinical trial during the study period.
  • Inability to follow the study protocol or complete outcome assessments.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Trattamento
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Nessuno (etichetta aperta)

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: Ice Pack + Standard Exercise Therapy
Participants assigned to this arm will receive ice pack therapy in combination with a standardized exercise therapy program. Ice packs will be applied to the plantar aspect of the affected foot for 10 minutes per session, five sessions per week for two weeks. The exercise program includes plantar fascia stretching, calf muscle stretching, eccentric heel raises, and balance training.
Procedura: Ice Pack Therapy
Ice pack therapy will be administered by applying crushed ice or a commercial gel ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to the plantar aspect of the heel and medial longitudinal arch of the affected foot. The intervention will be applied for 10 minutes per session, five sessions per week for two weeks. Skin integrity will be assessed before and after treatment to minimize the risk of cold-related injury.
Procedura: Standard Exercise Therapy
All participants will receive the same standardized exercise therapy program consisting of plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius and soleus stretching, eccentric heel raises, and balance training. Supervised sessions will be conducted five times per week for two weeks, with participants instructed to continue home exercises on non-supervised days. The exercise program is identical for both intervention groups.
Sperimentale: Cold Bath + Standard Exercise Therapy
Participants assigned to this arm will receive cold bath immersion in combination with the same standardized exercise therapy program. The affected foot will be immersed in cold water maintained at 10-15°C for 10 minutes per session, five sessions per week for two weeks. The exercise program includes plantar fascia stretching, calf muscle stretching, eccentric heel raises, and balance training.
Procedura: Standard Exercise Therapy
All participants will receive the same standardized exercise therapy program consisting of plantar fascia stretching, gastrocnemius and soleus stretching, eccentric heel raises, and balance training. Supervised sessions will be conducted five times per week for two weeks, with participants instructed to continue home exercises on non-supervised days. The exercise program is identical for both intervention groups.
Procedura: Cold Water Immersion
Cold water immersion will be administered by immersing the affected foot up to the malleoli in water maintained at 10-15°C for 10 minutes per session, five sessions per week for two weeks. Water temperature will be monitored before each treatment session, and participants will be observed for discomfort or excessive numbness throughout the intervention.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Pain Intensity Measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and at the end of the 2-week intervention period
Pain intensity will be assessed using the 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Participants will rate heel pain experienced during the first steps in the morning and during daily activities. A reduction in the VAS score indicates improvement.
Baseline and at the end of the 2-week intervention period
Foot Function Measured by the Foot Function Index (FFI)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and at the end of the 2-week intervention period
Functional status will be evaluated using the Foot Function Index (FFI), a validated questionnaire that measures pain, disability, and activity limitation associated with foot disorders. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with lower scores indicating better foot function.
Baseline and at the end of the 2-week intervention period

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Investigatori

  • Investigatore principale: Dr Zahid Mehmood, Ibadat International University

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

17 febbraio 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

6 luglio 2026

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

7 luglio 2026

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

4 luglio 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

4 luglio 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

10 luglio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

13 luglio 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

10 luglio 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 luglio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Parole chiave

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • Ref: IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/02/258

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Descrizione del piano IPD

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made publicly available because the study is an investigator-initiated academic research project, and participant confidentiality and privacy will be protected in accordance with institutional ethical requirements. De-identified aggregate data will be reported in publications and presentations. Requests for additional study information may be considered by the principal investigator and the institutional ethics committee, subject to applicable ethical and regulatory requirements.

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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