Introduction
Plantar fasciitis (PF) is foot pain caused by plantar fascia inflammation, which is a connective tissue that supports the foot arch and runs from the heel to the toes (1).
Kinesiotape (KT) reduces pain and supports muscles and joints. The use of KT has been extensively researched in many areas, including injury treatment, muscle weakness, posture correction, and performance enhancement (2).
Low-dye taping is a technique that treats foot and ankle conditions by placing the athletic tape along the bottom of the foot to support the arch and reduce plantar fascia stress, especially in plantar fasciitis (3).
Research question
Which of the KT and Low-Dye Taping methods applied in addition to Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is more effective on pain and functionality in patients with PF?
Methods
45 volunteer participants were included in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 study groups (KT, Low-Dye, Control). Participants in the KT group received KT, in addition to the ESWT, 1 session a week for 3 weeks. Participants in the Low-Dye group received Low-Dye taping, in addition to the ESWT, 1 session a week for 3 weeks. The pain severity of the participants was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale, and the functionality of the participants was evaluated with The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale (AOFAS). The pain and functionality of the participants were evaluated before the first intervention and after the last intervention.
Results
When the pre-and post-treatment differences were analyzed, there was an improvement in pain and functionality in all three groups (p<.05). When the difference between the groups before and after treatment was analyzed, there were differences in pain with standing, AOFAS function and AOFAS total scores (p<.05). While the Low-Dye group was more effective than the control group in pain with standing (p<.05), there was no statistical difference between the Kinesio group (p>.05). In the AOFAS function score, the Low-Dye group was more effective than the control group (p<.05), while there was no statistical difference between the Kinesio group and the Kinesio group (p>.05). In the AOFAS total score, both Low-Dye and KT groups were effective compared to the control group (p<.05), but they were not superior to each other (p>.05).
Discussion
The results of this study showed that KT and Low-Dye Taping added to a ESWT had a similar effect on reducing pain and disability in individuals with chronic neck pain. In the literature, it has been reported that KT and Low-Dye Taping techniques reduces pain and increases function (4-7). The results of this study are similar to the literature.
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