Effectiveness of Manual Stretching for Plantar Heel Pain
Author Information
Author(s): David Sweeting, Ben Parish, Lee Hooper, Rachel Chester
Primary Institution: University of East Anglia
Hypothesis
Does manual stretching improve pain and function in individuals with plantar heel pain?
Conclusion
There is insufficient evidence to conclude that stretching is more effective than other treatments for plantar heel pain.
Supporting Evidence
- Six studies with a total of 365 participants were included in the review.
- Most participants showed improvement over the course of the studies.
- Statistically significant pain reduction was observed in one study comparing different stretching techniques.
Takeaway
Stretching might help people with heel pain, but we can't be sure it's better than other treatments.
Methodology
A systematic review of six studies assessing the effectiveness of stretching for plantar heel pain.
Potential Biases
Potential publication bias due to reliance on published studies only.
Limitations
The small number of studies and participants limits the conclusions that can be drawn.
Participant Demographics
365 participants, 140 males and 225 females, aged 23 to 66 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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