NCT07078539

Effect of Kaltenborn vs Mulligan Mobilization With Intrinsic Foot Strengthening in Plantar Fasciitis

Comparative Effect of Kaltenborn and Mulligan Mobilization With Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strengthening on Pain, Functional Status, and Windlass Mechanism in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 74 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will compare the effects of Kaltenborn and Mulligan ankle mobilization techniques, combined with intrinsic foot muscle strengthening, on pain, functional status, and dorsiflexion range of motion in patients with plantar fasciitis. Eighty-two participants with chronic heel pain will be randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups will receive standard care including ultrasound therapy, stretching, and cryotherapy, while Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization and Group B will receive Mulligan mobilization. Pain, function, and ankle range of motion will be assessed at baseline and after three weeks of treatment.

Detailed description

This prospective randomized clinical trial will aim to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two manual therapy techniques-Kaltenborn and Mulligan mobilizations-combined with intrinsic foot muscle strengthening in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The study will be conducted at two physiotherapy clinics in Sialkot, Pakistan. A total of 82 eligible participants aged 30-60 years, diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, will be enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling and then randomised into two equal groups through the lottery method. Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints, in addition to conventional treatment (therapeutic ultrasound, plantar fascia and calf stretching, intrinsic foot muscle strengthening, and cryotherapy). Group B will receive Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) applied to the same joints, alongside the same conventional treatment. Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for three weeks (total six sessions). The primary outcomes will include changes in pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), functional disability (Foot Function Index), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (measured using a goniometer). Measurements will be taken at baseline and at the end of the third week. It is hypothesised that Kaltenborn mobilization may demonstrate superior outcomes in pain reduction and functional improvement compared to Mulligan MWM when combined with strengthening exercises.

Conditions

• Plantar Fascitis
• Heel Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Kaltenborn Mobilization Group	Participants in this group will receive Kaltenborn mobilization techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints. Mobilizations will be performed as Grade III passive accessory glides for 10 repetitions per joint, each sustained for 15 seconds with a 10-second rest interval Conventional treatment includs therapeutic ultrasound (3 MHz, 1.5 W/cm², continuous mode for 5 minutes), plantar fascia and calf stretching (10 minutes, 1 set of 10 reps), intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises (toe curls and towel curls for 10 minutes, 2 sets of 10 reps), and cryotherapy at home for 10 minutes daily. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for 3 weeks.
OTHER	Mulligan Mobilization Group	Participants in this group will receive Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) techniques applied to the talocrural and subtalar joints. Mobilizations will be applied as 3 sets of 10 repetitions per joint with 1-minute rest between sets. Conventional treatment includs therapeutic ultrasound (3 MHz, 1.5 W/cm², continuous mode for 5 minutes), plantar fascia and calf stretching (10 minutes, 1 set of 10 reps), intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises (toe curls and towel curls for 10 minutes, 2 sets of 10 reps), and cryotherapy at home for 10 minutes daily. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for 3 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-01
• Primary completion: 2025-11-15
• Completion: 2025-11-30
• First posted: 2025-07-22
• Last updated: 2025-07-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan