Radial extracorporeal shock wave device appearance does not influence clinical outcomes: A randomized controlled trial

135 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive 3 sessions of radial extracorporeal shockwave (rESW) delivered on a standard device, a modified device aimed to improve attractiveness and look 'high-tech', or a modified austere device meant to look 'low-tech'. The primary outcome of interest was foot function, measured with the foot function index (FFI). Secondary outcomes of interest included pain on the first step in the morning and during the day (measured with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)), plantar fascia thickness, and the incidence of adverse events. Follow up was performed up to 14 months after the completion of the final therapy session. The results displayed significant improvements in pain score, FFI score and plantar fascia thickness over time in all groups. However, no significant differences in all outcomes were observed among the three groups. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events, nor the proportion of patients who experienced discomfort during the treatment, among the three groups.