A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED EVALUATION OF LOW-INTENSITY LASER THERAPY - PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Objective: To determine whether low-intensity laser irradiation, a wid espread but controversial physical therapy agent, is an effective trea tment of plantar fasciitis. Design: A randomized, double-blinded, plac ebo-controlled clinical study. Setting: A sports medicine clinic. Subj ects: Thirty-two otherwise healthy individuals with plantar fasciitis of more than 1 month's duration. Intervention: Dummy or active irradia tion with a 30mW .83 mu m GaAlAs continuous-wave infrared (IR) diode l aser three times a week for 4 weeks. Measurements: Morning pain, pain with toe walking, tenderness to palpation, windlass test response, med ication consumption, and orthotic use were evaluated immediately befor e the study, as well as at the midpoint and end of treatment. Subjects were also evaluated at a follow-up 1 month after their last treatment . Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in any of the outcome measures either during treatment or at the 1-month follow-up. Treatment, however, was well tolerated and side effects we re minimal. Conclusions: Low-intensity IR laser therapy appears safe b ut, at least within the parameters of this study, is not beneficial in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medic ine and Rehabilitation.