Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of Kaltenborn-Evjenth Massage (KEM) and shock wave therapy (SWT) on pain, flexibility, and pressure pain threshold in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Methods: Patients with plantar fasciitis in K hospital in Suwon, Republic of Korea, were r...

Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of Kaltenborn-Evjenth Massage (KEM) and shock wave therapy (SWT) on pain, flexibility, and pressure pain threshold in patients with plantar fasciitis.

Methods: Patients with plantar fasciitis in K hospital in Suwon, Republic of Korea, were randomly assigned to the KEM group (KEM; n=20) or a control group that received SWT (n=20). The interventions were administered for 10 minutes a session, two sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), and flexibility was assessed based on the range of motion using a goniometer. Changes in pain pressure threshold (PPT) were assessed using a pressure algometer. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 for Windows. Study parameters before and after intervention were compared in both groups using paired t-tests, and differences between the groups were analyzed using independent t-tests. Statistical significance was set at p<.05.

Results: There were significant improvements in the VAS scores after the intervention in both groups (p.05). There were significant changes in flexibility before and after the intervention in both groups (p<.05). The KEM group showed significant greater improvements in flexibility than the SWT group after the intervention (p<.05). There were significant improvements in PPT after the intervention in both groups (p.05).

Conclusion: The present study found that both KEM and SWT control pain, improve flexibility, and increase PPT in patients with plantar fasciitis. These results corroborate those of many previous studies. The present study was the first to examine the effect of KEM on patients with plantar fasciitis and to present clinical evidence suggesting that KEM improves flexibility. Nevertheless, the present study was limited in that the effects of SWT are known to vary widely depending on the device or operation of the device, and we did not perform functional assessment of the foot. Hence, subsequent studies should examine long-term therapeutic effects and perform functional assessments.

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