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 are
the hallmarks of plantar fasciitis heel pain. It affects about 10% of people in the general population and affects
about 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 and
increasing 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 assessed
using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Ankle ROM. A sample of 50 (45 females and 5 males) was taken for
the study which was further divided into two groups where the experimental group received Dry needling therapy
with ankle exercises (n=25) and the control group received Ultrasound therapy with ankle exercises (n=25). The
intervention 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 and
post-test for NPRS and ROM (p<0.0001). A significant difference was obtained between the experimental and
control groups for NPRS and ROM (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Dry needling therapy with ankle exercises was more beneficial in reducing pain than ultrasound
therapy with ankle exercises in Plantar fasciitis subjects.