Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on plantar fasciitis (PF).

Methods From May 2019 to April 2021, 41 patients with PF visiting the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were selected and randomly assigned to the control group (n=21) or the observation group (n=21). The control group received ESWT only while the observation group received IASTM combined with ESWT. All of the patients were evaluated through the visual analogue scale (VAS), painless weight-bearing load (PWBL) and the activities of daily living (ADL) subscale of foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment respectively.

Results After treatment, the VAS score in the control group and the observation group decreased from (5.58±1.92) points and (5.63±1.73) points to (3.69±1.55) points (P < 0.001) and (2.26±1.40) points (P < 0.001) respectively. Meanwhile, PWBL increased from (45.19±21.15) kg and (43.53±12.88) kg to (52.41±14.27) kg (P < 0.05) and (61.64±12.47) kg (P < 0.001) respectively. Moreover, the FAAM-ADL score increased from (71.92±13.64) points and (70.57±13.11) points to (80.99±10.92) points(P < 0.05) points and (87.71±8.06) points (P < 0.001) respectively. All outcomes of the observation group were improved more significantly than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions IASTM combined with ESWT can significantly relieveheel pain during ambulation, increase the pain threshold and improve the function of the foot in the patients with PF in a short time.