P-ISSN: 2394-1685 | E-ISSN: 2394-1693 | CODEN: IJPEJB
Background: Plantar fasciitis, a major source of heel pain, results from repetitive strain and micro-trauma of the plantar fascia. Dancers are especially vulnerable due to high-impact movements, repetitive loading, and prolonged standing. Effective, dancer-appropriate interventions are essential to alleviate symptoms while preserving functional capacity and performance demand.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and a combination of Hot Pack therapy with Kinesio Taping in reducing pain among dancers with plantar fasciitis. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 30 female dancers diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received Kinesio Taping, while Group B received a combination of Hot Pack and Kinesio Taping. Both interventions were administered three times per week over four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed for within-group and between-group differences, with statistical significance set at p <.05.
Results: Normality testing indicated that the data were normally distributed (p >.05). In Group A, VAS scores decreased significantly from 6.20 ± 1.20 to 4.07 ± 1.10 (mean difference = 2.13, p <.001). In Group B, scores declined from 6.27 ± 1.28 to 3.13 ± 1.13 (mean difference = 3.13, p <.001). Between-group analysis demonstrated that Group B experienced significantly greater pain reduction than Group A (p =.036).
Conclusion: Both interventions were effective in alleviating heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis in dancers. However, combining Hot Pack therapy with Kinesio Taping yielded superior pain reduction compared to Kinesio Taping alone, supporting its potential as a more effective short-term management strategy.
International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health
Research Journals