Effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening exercises for the foot and hip in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial

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83 patients with plantar fasciitis were randomized to one of the three following physiotherapy interventions for the purpose of comparing pain, disability, and balance outcomes after 8 weeks: (1) stretching and exercise of hip and foot muscles, (2) stretching and exercises of foot muscles only, and (3) stretching of foot muscles only. Outcomes of interest included a VAS scale for pain, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), the Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT). Results demonstrated that patients in all study groups significantly improved in all outcomes of interest after completion of eight weeks of allocated therapy. However, no significant between-group differences were observed when all three groups were compared.