Effect of Dry Needling in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis in Reducing Pain Compared to Ultrasound Therapy

Abstract

Background: Pain and discomfort below the medial calcaneal tubercle especially in the weight-bearing areas arethe hallmarks of plantar fasciitis heel pain. It affects about 10% of people in the general population and affectsabout 83% of active working individuals between the ages of 25 and 65.Purpose: To determine the effect of dry needling therapy on subjects with Plantar fasciitis in reducing pain andincreasing Ankle Range Of Motion (ROM) when compared to Ultrasound therapy with ankle exercises.Materials and Methods: The subjects were selected according to selection criteria. All the subjects were assessedusing Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Ankle ROM. A sample of 50 (45 females and 5 males) was taken forthe study which was further divided into two groups where the experimental group received Dry needling therapywith ankle exercises (n=25) and the control group received Ultrasound therapy with ankle exercises (n=25). Theintervention was given for two weeks. The entire process was performed from November 2022 to April 2023.Result: Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference obtained within the groups of pre andpost-test for NPRS and ROM (p<0.0001). A significant difference was obtained between the experimental andcontrol groups for NPRS and ROM (p<0.0001).Conclusion: Dry needling therapy with ankle exercises was more beneficial in reducing pain than ultrasoundtherapy with ankle exercises in Plantar fasciitis subjects.