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Plantar FasciitisMFR-IASM-PFNCT07676058

Comparative Effects of Myofascial Release and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Moblization in Pregnant Women With Plantar Fasciitis

A study testing Myofascial Release (MFR) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in people with Plantar Fasciitis, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by heel pain and functional limitations, which may become more pronounced during pregnancy due to weight gain, hormonal changes, and altered biomechanics. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 40 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Plantar Fasciitis
What is being tested?
Myofascial Release (MFR) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
44 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
30 Jun 2026to 31 Jul 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Pregnant women aged 20-40 years.
  • In the second and third trimester of pregnancy (gestational weeks 12-34).
  • Clinically diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, with symptoms of heel pain at the medial calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia.
  • The pain is most intense with the first few steps in the morning or after prolonged rest. Positive findings from a Windlass test or palpation-provoked pain indicating plantar fasciitis.

Who cannot join

  • Known foot fractures or significant foot deformities.
  • Systemic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) that may affect tissue healing and response to therapy.
  • Active obstetric complications that contraindicate physiotherapy.
  • Recent corticosteroid injections to the heel (<6 months prior).
  • Inability or unwillingness to comply with follow-up visits or the intervention protocol.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Fatima Altaf, MSPTWH contact

03363228431

fatimaaltaf24@yahoo.com

Montiha Azeem, MSPTN contact

03479717317

muntahaazeem9@gmail.com

Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore

    Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000

    Fatima Altaf, MSPTWH, 03363228431, fatimaaltaf24@yahoo.com

    Montiha Azeem, MSPTN, 03479717317, muntahaazeem9@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by heel pain and functional limitations, which may become more pronounced during pregnancy due to weight gain, hormonal changes, and altered biomechanics. Conservative physiotherapy interventions are commonly used to manage symptoms; however, evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of different manual therapy techniques in pregnant women remains limited.

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Myofascial Release (MFR) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) on pain intensity and foot function in pregnant women diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. A total of 44 pregnant women aged 20-40 years in their second or third trimester will be recruited and randomly allocated into two treatment groups. Both groups will receive baseline treatment consisting of therapeutic ultrasound, gastrocnemius and soleus stretching exercises, tibialis anterior strengthening, and a home exercise program. In addition, Group A will receive Myofascial Release, while Group B will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.

Read more

The intervention will be delivered over a period of four weeks, with three supervised sessions per week. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while foot-related pain, disability, and functional limitations will be measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI). Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and after completion of the intervention.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the most effective manual therapy approach for reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in pregnant women suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Read the detailed description

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most prevalent causes of heel pain and is frequently associated with inflammation, microtrauma, and degeneration of the plantar fascia. During pregnancy, physiological and biomechanical changes such as increased body weight, ligamentous laxity, altered gait patterns, and shifts in the center of gravity may increase stress on the plantar fascia, thereby elevating the risk of developing plantar heel pain. These symptoms can negatively affect mobility, functional independence, and overall quality of life.

Various conservative physiotherapy interventions have been used to manage plantar fasciitis, including stretching exercises, strengthening programs, therapeutic ultrasound, and manual therapy techniques. Among manual therapy approaches, Myofascial Release (MFR) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) have gained increasing attention because of their potential to reduce fascial restrictions, improve tissue mobility, decrease pain, and enhance functional performance. However, limited evidence exists regarding the comparative effectiveness of these interventions specifically in pregnant women.

This study is designed as a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial conducted at physiotherapy, orthopedic, and gynecology clinics of the University of Lahore Hospital. A total of 44 pregnant women diagnosed with plantar fasciitis will be recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups.

Both groups will receive standardized baseline treatment comprising therapeutic ultrasound (1.0 MHz, 1.2 W/cm²), gastrocnemius and soleus stretching exercises, tibialis anterior strengthening exercises, and a home-based stretching program. Participants in Group A will receive Myofascial Release techniques targeting the plantar fascia, medial heel region, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and intrinsic foot musculature. The intervention aims to reduce fascial restrictions, improve tissue extensibility, and restore normal foot biomechanics.

Participants in Group B will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization using specialized stainless-steel instruments. Treatment will focus on the plantar fascia, calcaneal insertion, Achilles tendon, calf musculature, and intrinsic foot muscles through controlled sweeping, cross-friction, and tissue remodeling techniques designed to improve mobility and reduce adhesions.

Both intervention programs will be administered over four weeks, with three treatment sessions per week, resulting in a total of twelve supervised sessions. Each treatment session will last approximately 30 minutes. Pregnancy-specific safety precautions will be maintained throughout the intervention period, including avoidance of prolonged supine positioning, monitoring for adverse symptoms, and adjustment of treatment intensity according to participant comfort.

The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The secondary outcome measure will be foot-related pain, disability, and functional limitation assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI). Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the four-week intervention period by a blinded assessor.

The results of this trial will contribute to evidence-based physiotherapy practice by identifying the more effective manual therapy approach for managing plantar fasciitis in pregnant women, thereby assisting clinicians in optimizing treatment strategies for this unique patient population.

Being tested
Myofascial Release (MFR), Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Keywords
Plantar Fasciitis, Myofascial Release, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Medical subject headings
Fasciitis, Plantar

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Myofascial Release (MFR)Procedure or surgery

    Myofascial Release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique aimed at reducing fascial restrictions, improving tissue mobility, and alleviating pain. Participants will receive MFR targeting the plantar fascia, medial calcaneal region, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and intrinsic foot muscles. Techniques include longitudinal fascial release, thumb or knuckle gliding, sustained pressure, cross-fiber friction, deep longitudinal sweeping, and myofascial spreading. Treatment will be administered for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions total), in addition to conventional physiotherapy consisting of therapeutic ultrasound, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and a home exercise program.

  • Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)Procedure or surgery

    Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a manual therapy technique that utilizes specialized stainless-steel instruments to identify and treat soft tissue restrictions. Participants will receive IASTM over the plantar fascia, calcaneal insertion, Achilles tendon, gastrocnemius, soleus, and intrinsic foot muscles. Techniques include longitudinal sweeping strokes, cross-fiber strumming, edge-loading techniques, adhesion-targeting strokes, and fascial spreading. Treatment will be administered for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions total), in addition to conventional physiotherapy consisting of therapeutic ultrasound, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and a home exercise program.

Study groups in NCT07676058
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Myofascial Release (MFR) GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive Myofascial Release (MFR) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Conventional treatment includes therapeutic ultrasound (1.0 MHz, 1.2 W/cm²), gastrocnemius and soleus stretching exercises, tibialis anterior strengthening exercises, and a home exercise program. The MFR intervention targets the plantar fascia, medial heel region, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and intrinsic foot muscles using sustained manual pressure and fascial mobilization techniques. Treatment will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes.
Receives: Procedure: Myofascial Release (MFR)
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Conventional treatment includes therapeutic ultrasound (1.0 MHz, 1.2 W/cm²), gastrocnemius and soleus stretching exercises, tibialis anterior strengthening exercises, and a home exercise program. IASTM will be performed using specialized stainless-steel instruments applied to the plantar fascia, calcaneal insertion, Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and intrinsic foot muscles to reduce soft tissue restrictions and improve mobility. Treatment will be delivered three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes.
Receives: Procedure: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain Intensity Assessed by Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    Pain intensity will be measured using the 11-point Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." Participants will be asked to rate the intensity of their worst heel pain, particularly during the first steps taken in the morning. The NPRS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing pain severity in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Changes in NPRS scores will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of Myofascial Release and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in reducing plantar heel pain among pregnant women.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (Post-Intervention)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Jun 2026
  2. Study start30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
44 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07676058
Sponsor's protocol ID
70106611
Acronym
MFR-IASM-PF
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
23 Jun 2026
Last updated
8 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Myofascial Release (MFR) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in people with Plantar Fasciitis, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Fatima Altaf, MSPTWH (03363228431, fatimaaltaf24@yahoo.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pain Intensity Assessed by Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (Post-Intervention)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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