Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, typically
characterized by a sharp pain in the plantar aponeurosis, specifically near the insertion
site close to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. It has been reported that 1
in 10 people are expected to be affected by PF in their lifetime. A comprehensive
internet-panel survey conducted among the adult United States population revealed the
population-based prevalence of self-reported PF with pain in the last month was 0.85
percent. Approximately 1 million patients are diagnosed with this disease each year in
the United States. PF was believed to be an acute inflammatory disease, but patient
samples show it is actually a chronic degenerative process caused by various factors such
as repetitive stresses, vascular and metabolic disorders, excess free radicals, high
temperatures, genetic factors, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and
spondyloarthropathies. PF may be associated with impaired health-related quality of life,
including reduced life functioning, poor perceived health status and social isolation.
Additionally, a recent study indicates that the annual cost associated with PF is $284
million.
The first-line treatments recommended by guidelines for PF encompass physical therapy
(including manual therapy, stretching, and others), pharmacological therapy (involving
corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma), and surgical treatment. However, the definite
effects of physical therapy still require confirmation. Pharmacological treatments, such
as local corticosteroid injections, exhibit a short maintenance period. Some studies
indicate that the relief provided by corticosteroid injections lasts up to one month, yet
its efficacy diminishes after 6 months. Surgical treatment is generally advised 6 to 12
months after unsuccessful conservative treatment, albeit with the drawback of higher
costs, post-surgery recovery time, and patient apprehension.
Acupuncture is one of the most common complementary alternative therapy for the treatment
of pain-related diseases such as musculoskeletal muscle, and recent guidelines recommend
dry needling as a treatment for relief of plantar fasciitis, with a level of evidence of
B. Dry acupuncture is different from acupuncture in terms of theoretical basis,
therapeutic apparatus, technical operation and scope of indications, however, the
American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety also believes that dry needling
falls under the umbrella of acupuncture, but under a different name. In addition, there
are systematic evaluations that suggest acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment
for PF, and most of the trials in the systematic evaluations used 4-week treatment
courses. Our prior study demonstrated that a 4-week intervention of both
electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture resulted in improved pain outcomes among
patients with PF.
The frequency of acupuncture stands as a crucial factor influencing its efficacy. A study
revealed that needling trials with negative results had a significantly lower frequency
compared to those yielding positive results. Furthermore, several studies indicate that
acupuncture once a week can be help in conditions such as simple obesity, functional
dyspepsia, and overactive bladder in women. There is no universally accepted standard of
frequency of treatment for many conditions, including PF. In China, patients with chronic
diseases usually receive 3-5 acupuncture treatments per week. However, in most previous
trials, individuals with chronic diseases received 1-2 needling sessions per week. An
increase in the frequency of acupuncture means an increase in the pain, time, and
financial investment associated with the acupuncture process. Therefore, it is critical
to optimize the frequency of acupuncture to ensure the effectiveness and feasibility of
the treatment while avoiding increasing the burden on the patient. Accordingly, the
investigators designed the current trial to compare the effects of different acupuncture
sessions (1 session per week versus 3 sessions per week) in a randomized controlled trial
(RCT) of chronic PF. The hypothesis is that 1 session per week compared with 3 sessions
per week of electroacupuncture treatment over a total of 4 weeks of treatment will
provide a similar effect on pain relief in chronic PF.
