Barefoot Walking VS Standardised Conservative Care for Plantar Fasciopathy

NCT07600229 · tracked via the Priya Life Science Ireland tracker

Sponsor

Elisabetta Brigo

Phase

N/A

Started

2026-05-07

Last updated

2026-05-22

Condition(s) studied

Plantar FasciopathyPlantar FasciitisPlantar Fasciitis, ChronicHeel Pain

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Barefoot Walking ProgrammeStandardised Conservative Care

Barefoot Walking Programme: A structured 12-week progressive home-based barefoot walking programme on grass for adults with plantar fasciopathy. Participants gradually increase the duration and frequency of barefoot walking over the 12-week period. Education on plantar fasciopathy and load management principles is provided. Adherence and symptom response are monitored via weekly questionnaires.

Standardised Conservative Care: A structured 12-week standardised home-based stretching and strengthening programme for adults with plantar fasciopathy. The programme includes plantar fascia and calf stretching alongside progressive foot and lower limb strengthening exercises. Education on plantar fasciopathy and load management principles is provided. Adherence and symptom response are monitored via weekly questionnaires

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a barefoot walking programme can treat plantar fasciopathy (heel pain) in adults aged 18-70. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does a barefoot walking programme reduce heel pain compared to a standardised stretching and strengthening programme?
* Does a barefoot walking programme improve foot function and quality of life in adults with plantar fasciopathy?

Researchers will compare a barefoot walking programme to a standardised stretching and strengthening programme to see if barefoot walking is an effective conservative management approach for plantar fasciopathy.

Participants will:

* Be randomly assigned to either a barefoot walking programme or a stretching and strengthening programme
* Complete a 12-week home-based exercise programme
* Complete short weekly questionnaires throughout the 12 weeks
* Complete 3 follow-up surveys over 6 months after the intervention ends
* Receive education on load management and plantar fasciopathy

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

18 Years

Max age

70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-70 years; * Clinical diagnosis of Plantar Fasciopahty, defined by: a) Pain localised to the medial calcaneal tubercle of sharp or stabbing quality; b) Pain worst with the first few steps in the morning or after a period of rest (first-step pain); c) Pain reproduced with palpation of the medial calcaneal tubercle OR positive Windlass Test; * Symptom duration greater than 4 weeks; * Able to walk independently without a mobility aid * Able to provide informed consent and comply with study protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Prior surgery on the affected foot * Diabetes with peripheral neuropathy or other neurological condition affecting lower limb sensation or motor control * Active inflammatory arthropathy, uncontrolled vascular disease, or inability to walk unaided * Current or recent (less than 6 months) bony stress fracture or other acute foot or ankle injury on the affected side * Pregnancy during the intervention period * BMI greater than 40 kg/m² * Corticosteroid injection to the affected foot within the previous 3 months * Night splints initiated less than 4 weeks prior to enrolment * Any condition that would make participation unsafe, including open foot wounds

Primary outcome measure(s)

First-Step Pain — From the baseline assessment (Week 0) until end of intervention (Week 12)
Changes in average first-step morning pain over the last 7 days measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain.

Trial sites (1)

Facility	City	Region	Status
South East Technological University	Carlow	Carlow County	Recruiting

Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT07600229 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Ireland