Ice packs vs cold baths with standard exercise for heel pain from plantar fasciitis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled study compares two cryotherapy approaches—ice pack therapy and cold bath immersion—both combined with the same standardized exercise program for plantar fasciitis. Adults with clinically diagnosed plantar fasciitis are randomly assigned to one of the two cryotherapy methods, receiving sessions five days per week for two weeks, each lasting 10 minutes. The primary outcome is pain intensity measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, and the secondary outcome is foot function assessed by the Foot Function Index. The trial aims to determine which cryotherapy modality more effectively reduces pain and improves function when paired with exercise.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
* Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral Plantar Fasciitis.
* Heel pain localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle.
* Positive Windlass test.
* Pain intensity of ≥4 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline.
* Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
* Willing to comply with the study protocol and attend all treatment and assessment sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of foot or ankle surgery within the previous 6 months.
* Corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis within the previous month.
* Neurological disorders affecting the lower limb.
* Peripheral vascular disease or other vascular disorders affecting the lower limb.
* Open wounds, skin infections, or contraindications to cryotherapy.
* Pregnancy.
* Participation in another interventional clinical trial during the study period.
* Inability to follow the study protocol or complete outcome assessments.

Where it's running

• Shahab Orthopedic and General Hospital
  Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Dr Zahid Mehmood — Ibadat International University
• Study coordinator: Kaleem Ullah, Master
• Email: ukaleem618@gmail.com
• Phone: +92 341 7675683

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Lateral plantar artery embolization for chronic heel pain

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.