BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with Kinesio Tape (KT) for plantar fasciitis (PF) is lacking in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ESWT combined with KT on foot pain and function in patients with PF based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with PF were randomly divided into the ESWT group (ETG, n = 23), KT group (KTG, n = 23), combined treatment group (CTG, n = 22) and control group (CG, n = 23). Herein, changes in visual analysis scale (VAS) score, plantar fascia thickness (PFT) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were examined. RESULTS: The groups were compared after 4 weeks and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG were significantly smaller than that of CG (p < 0.05). In addition, the VAS score of CTG was significantly smaller than that of KTG (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the AOFAS scores of ETG and CTG were significantly greater than that of CG (p < 0.001). Moreover, the AOFAS score of CTG was significantly greater than those of ETG and KTG (p < 0.01). Comparisons within groups were also conducted at weeks 0 and 4 and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly decreased (p < 0.001); the PFT of ETG and CTG significantly decreased (p < 0.05); and the AOFAS score of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching, ESWT and KT therapy could improve the foot pain and function of patients with PF, and the combined modality therapy is more effective. ESWT and combined treatment has a positive effect on patients' PFT. However, single KT treatment has a limited effect on PFT.

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