title: Effect of monophasic pulsed current on heel pain and functional activities caused by plantar fasciitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a soft tissue disorder considered to be one of the most common causes of inferior heel pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of monophasic pulsed current (MPC) and MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific stretching exercises (SE) on the treatment of PF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four participants (22 women and 22 men, with a mean age of 49 years) diagnosed with PF were randomly assigned to receive MPC (n=22) or MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific SE (n=22). Prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment, participants underwent baseline evaluation; heel pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), heel tenderness threshold was quantified using a handheld pressure algometer (PA), and functional activities level was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (ADL/FAAM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heel pain scores showed a significant reduction in both groups compared to baseline VAS scores (P<0.001). Heel tenderness improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline PA scores (P<0.001). Functional activity level improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline (ADL/FAAM) scores (P<0.001). However, no significant differences existed between the 2 treatment groups in all post-intervention outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial showed that MPC is useful in treating inferior heel symptoms caused by PF.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Abdullah K
authors: AK
authors: Alotaibi
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Jerrold S
authors: JS
authors: Petrofsky
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Noha S
authors: NS
authors: Daher
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Everett
authors: E
authors: Lohman
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Laymon
authors: School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Hasan M
authors: HM
authors: Syed
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome