The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of 8 weeks of foot rehabilitation exercises in conjunction with wearing minimalist shoes in individuals with plantar fasciopathy, compared to only performing foot rehabilitation exercises. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to reduce their pain and improve their self-reported function by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to increase their intrinsic foot muscle strength and size, their balance, and gait biomechanics by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * What characteristics of individuals with plantar fasciopathy make them most suited to succeed in a protocol of performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes? Participants will be asked to come into the lab at the start of the intervention and after 8 weeks, where the following will be assessed: * Patient-reported outcomes * Foot morphology * Intrinsic foot muscle strength * Balance * Gait biomechanics For the intervention, participants in both groups will perform the same rehabilitation exercises, including: * Massage to the bottom of the foot * Calf-raises * Calf and foot stretches
Plantar Fascitis, Plantar Fasciopathy, Plantar Fasciitis of Both Feet, Plantar Fasciitis of Right Foot, Plantar Fasciitis of Left Foot, Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of 8 weeks of foot rehabilitation exercises in conjunction with wearing minimalist shoes in individuals with plantar fasciopathy, compared to only performing foot rehabilitation exercises. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to reduce their pain and improve their self-reported function by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to increase their intrinsic foot muscle strength and size, their balance, and gait biomechanics by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * What characteristics of individuals with plantar fasciopathy make them most suited to succeed in a protocol of performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes? Participants will be asked to come into the lab at the start of the intervention and after 8 weeks, where the following will be assessed: * Patient-reported outcomes * Foot morphology * Intrinsic foot muscle strength * Balance * Gait biomechanics For the intervention, participants in both groups will perform the same rehabilitation exercises, including: * Massage to the bottom of the foot * Calf-raises * Calf and foot stretches
Effects of Foot Rehabilitation And Minimalist Shoes on Pain, Strength, and Function in Adults With Plantar Fasciopathy
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University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22903
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.
For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.
18 Years to 55 Years
ALL
No
University of Virginia,
Jennifer Xu, MS, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Virginia
Susan Saliba, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Virginia
2025-05-20