The comparison of the effects of high intensity laser, ultrasound and kinesiotaping therapy methods in the treatment of plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common and painful condition that occurs as a result of repetitive trauma at the plantar fascia insertio. Numerous interventions have been described for the treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of high intensity laser, ultasound and kinesiotaping therapy methods on foot pain, function, quality of life and plantar pressure distribution in patients with plantar fasciitis. Sixty patients (53 female, 7 male) with plantar fasciitis between 18-65 years of age were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received high intensity laser therapy (5 times a week, a total of 10 sessions), the second group received ultrasound therapy (5 times a week, a total of 10 sessions) and kinesiotaping was applied to the third group (a total of 3 times with an interval of 5 days). An exercise program which consisted of plantar fascia and gastrocnemius/soleus muscles stretching and foot intrinsic muscles strengthening were given to the each groups. Foot pain and functional status was evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale and Foot Function Index, quality of life was evaluated by the short form 36 at baseline, immediately and six weeks after treatment. Plantar pressure distribution was measured by pedobarography at baseline and six weeks after treatment. Statistical tests were conducted at the 0.05 significance level. The mean age of the patients was 53,77±8,18 years. Immediately and six weeks after treatment, Visual Analogue Scale and Foot Function Index showed a statistically significant reduction in all three groups, on the other hand there were no statistically significant difference between 3 therapy groups. Quality of life assesment scale was improved statistically significant level in the high intensity laser and kinesiotaping groups, but no significant difference was determined in the ultrasound group. Between laser and ultrasound groups and between laser and kinesiotaping groups, laser group was more effective, between ultrasound and kinesiotaping groups, kinesiotaping group was more effective on the some parameters of quality of life assesment scale. Plantar pressure measurement showed that maximum pressure on the medial heel was decreased with laser therapy and maximum pressure on the first and second metatarses were decreased with kinesiotaping therapy, while the ultrasound therapy did not affect the plantar pressure distribution. As a result; high intensity laser, ultrasound and kinesiotaping therapies are effective treatments to reduce pain and improve functional status in patients with plantar fasciitis. Also high intensity laser and kinesiotaping increase the quality of life and this increasing is more with high intensity laser therapy. Key words: High intensity laser, ultrasound, plantar fasciitis, pain, plantar pressure