Comparing Cognitive Training and Stretching Exercises for Pain, Foot Function, and Balance in Adults with Plantar Fasciitis

What this Trial Is About

Plantar fasciitis is a condition caused by degeneration of the plantar fascia due to repetitive stress, leading to heel pain and impaired balance during weight-bearing activities. This trial evaluates whether adding cognitive training exercises to stretching and strengthening exercises improves pain, foot function, and static balance better than stretching and strengthening exercises alone. The study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effects of cognitive and neuromuscular control training on musculoskeletal function in people with plantar fasciitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The cognitive training group will perform a structured program integrating attention-demanding dual-task exercises with functional movement tasks, alongside stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the plantar fascia and lower limb muscles. The control group will perform only the conventional stretching and strengthening exercises focusing on flexibility and muscle tightness reduction. Exercise sessions will be conducted progressively over the intervention period based on participant performance. During the study, assessments will be made at the start and after 4 weeks of treatment to measure pain intensity using a visual analog scale, foot functional disability, and static balance. Participants must be able to stand and complete basic balance and functional tests. Researchers will monitor outcomes to compare how cognitive training combined with physical exercises affects pain, function, and balance compared to physical exercises alone. The total participation period will last 4 weeks.

Cognitive Training for Pain , Balance and Foot Function in Plantar Fasciitis