COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF NEUROMUSCULAR TAPING VS. STRETCHING IN CHRONIC PLANTAR FASCIITIS PATIENTS

Background: Chronic plantar fasciitis is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder characterized by persistent heel pain and functional limitations. Conservative interventions such as stretching exercises and taping techniques are commonly employed in clinical practice, yet comparative evidence regarding their effectiveness remains limited. Objective: To compare the efficacy of neuromuscular taping and static stretching exercises in reducing pain and improving foot function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted over 12 months in Lahore, Pakistan. Sixty-eight participants diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to either Group A (neuromuscular taping) or Group B (static stretching). Interventions lasted six weeks, with follow-up at 12 weeks. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and foot function was assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI), including pain and disability subscales. Statistical analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in VAS and FFI scores over time (p < 0.001). However, Group A showed a greater reduction in pain (VAS: 6.8 to 2.4) and greater functional improvement (FFI: 62.5 to 27.3) compared to Group B (VAS: 6.9 to 3.6; FFI: 63.2 to 38.6). Between-group differences were statistically significant at both 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Neuromuscular taping was more effective than static stretching in improving pain and foot function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. It may serve as a preferred conservative intervention in early rehabilitation phases.