Effects of articulatory manual therapy versus soft tissue massage based on GDS muscle chains method in plantar heel pain: A randomized pilot study.
Gemma Victoria Espí-López, Sara Perpiñá-Martínez, Manuel Saavedra-Hernández et al.
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In 30 seconds
This assessor-blinded, two-arm randomized pilot trial compared articulatory manual therapy (AMTG) with soft tissue massage using the GDS muscle chains method (MCTG) in 17 adults with unilateral plantar fasciitis. Both groups received eight sessions over four weeks, alongside shared massage and home exercises. Pressure pain threshold, ankle dorsiflexion, and foot pain/disability improved significantly within both groups. AMTG showed greater improvement in the SF-12 physical role and physical component scores, with p = 0.045 and p = 0.049, respectively. No adverse events were reported.
Key findings
- Both groups improved in pressure pain threshold (p < 0.001), ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.005), and FFI pain/disability (p < 0.001).
- AMTG showed greater improvement in SF-12 physical role (p = 0.045) and physical component (p = 0.049) scores.
- No adverse events were reported.
Why it matters
The trial provides a preliminary comparison of two manual therapy approaches used alongside shared interventions for plantar fasciitis. Improvements in pain-related measures and function in both groups suggest potential benefit, while the physical quality-of-life findings may help inform further comparative research. The small pilot study does not establish that one approach is broadly superior.
What to keep in mind
This was a small pilot trial with 17 participants, limiting the certainty and generalisability of comparisons between treatments.