Comparative effects of dry needing and cross friction massage on pain, mobility and functional status in plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) and cross-friction massage (CFM) in reducing pain and improving mobility and functional status in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 15 to June 20, 2023, on 48 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Data were collected from Health City Hospital, Tabba Clinic, and Liaqat Physiotherapy Clinic, Lahore-Pakistan. Patients were randomized through lottery method into two groups (n=24 each), receiving either DN or CFM for 8 weeks with 2 sessions per week. Pain, foot health, and functional status were assessed pre- and post-treatment using the Pain Scale for Plantar Fasciitis (PSPF), Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), and Foot Functional Index (FFI). Data were analyzed using SPSS-22. Results: Data were nonparametric, comprising 15 males (31.3%) and 33 females (68.7%), with a mean age of 33.9±2.88 years. Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, mobility, and functional status post-intervention (p =0.001 for PSPF, FHSQ, and FFI). However, DN demonstrated greater effectiveness compared to CFM, with higher post-treatment mean ranks for PSPF (85.4 vs. 74.6), FHSQ (88.2 vs. 72.3), and FFI (92.5 vs. 68.5; p < 0.001). Across-group Wilcoxon T test results indicated significant z-score changes (-4.4 to -4.2), and Mann-Whitney U test comparisons showed significant shifts (97.5 to 145.5). The DN group achieved a mean change of 15.44. Conclusion: DN is more effective than CFM for pain reduction, mobility improvement, and functional enhancement in plantar fasciitis. Further studies with larger, more diverse populations and longer follow-up are recommended.