title: Light-Emitting Diode Versus Sham in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this preliminary study was to compare the application of the light emitting diode (LED) to sham LED in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen subjects met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned into 2 groups: light emitting diode or sham LED. The subjects received either the LED at 12 J/cm(2) or sham LED along 2 points of the plantar fascia. Subjects in both groups received a 10 minute transverse friction massage and participated in 4 plantar fascia stretching exercises. All subjects received a total of 6 treatments over 3 weeks. Progress was assessed using the lower extremity functional and analog pain scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found between treatment groups (P = .845). There was a significant difference in pain and outcome scores over time within both groups (P < .35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with plantar fasciitis, the use of LED did not result in greater improvement in function or pain compared with sham treatment. The findings suggest that manual intervention and passive stretching activities may have provided significant pain relief and improvement in functional outcome scores.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: Graduate Student, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hews
authors.affiliation: Graduate Student, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Lowell
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Windon
authors.affiliation: Graduate Student, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chasse
keywords: Phototherapy; Plantar fasciitis