Effectiveness of Myofascial Release Techniques in the Management of Plantar Fasciitis: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Myofascial Release Techniques (MFRT) are manual therapies that target soft tissues by using long, low-amplitude stretches toincrease tissue flexibility. Despite its efficacy in a variety of diseases, perspectives on its biomechanical and physiological consequences remain mixedin foot disorders. The purpose of this analysis is to distribute evidence-based insights for researchers, physicians and other professional looking for effective therapies for this common foot problem. Methodology: This study comply with the guidelines of PRISMA. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Cochrane and BioMed Central databases with the keywords “Myofascial Release Techniques,” “Stretching,” “Pain,” “Manual Therapy,” and “Plantar Fasciitis.” Studies based on English that had been published from 2019 to 2022 examining the efficacy of MFRT on improving pain and foot functionindex among plantar fasciitis patients were selected. Results: Total 170subjects with plantar fasciitis from sevenrandomized controlled trialswere added in this meta-analysis. MFRT had been shown to have a significant pooled effect when the groups were being compared on lowering pain and improving foot function index, with a SMDof -0.924 (95% CI: -1.470 to -0.378, p = 0.001) for pain and -0.915 (95% CI: -1.409 to -0.420, p = 0.001) for foot function index respectively. Conclusion: MFRT was found to bemore effective in diminishing pain and enhancing foot function index as compared to the control therapies in lowering pain andincreasing foot function index. These findings provide evidence-based insights that support the inclusionof MFRTas the intervention for common foot condition.