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. 2024 May 6;13(9):2722.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13092722.

Clinical Efficacy of Application-Linked Stretching Ball as Digital Therapeutics in Plantar Fasciitis

Seok Chang Ryu  1 , Dong-Oh Lee  2 , Yoojin Park  3 , Yujeong Shin  3 , Dong Yeon Lee  4 , Min Gyu Kyung  5
Affiliations

Clinical Efficacy of Application-Linked Stretching Ball as Digital Therapeutics in Plantar Fasciitis

Seok Chang Ryu et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of application-linked stretching ball instruments that record the rolling time and force of patients compared with a traditional simple stretching ball. Methods: Fourteen participants with plantar fasciitis were divided into a simple massage ball group (group A, n = 8) and an application-linked massage ball group (group B, n = 6). The application-linked massage ball sends information regarding the massages, such as the frequency and force of the massage on the foot, to the application on the patient's smartphone. All clinical outcomes were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score. Results: At the beginning of the study, the initial MOXFQ score was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.948). At each time point, the MOXFQ score of the whole population did not improve significantly compared to that of the initial state (p = 0.131). Generalized estimating equation modeling demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the improvement of the MOXFQ score between groups A and B during follow-up (p = 0.826). In addition, no group-by-time interactions were observed (p = 0.457). Conclusions: The efficacy of an application-linked massage ball for the treatment of plantar fasciitis was not as definite as that of a traditional simple stretching ball in patients whose symptoms persisted for at least six months. Future studies that include patients with acute plantar fasciitis are required.

Keywords: digital therapeutics; plantar fasciitis; stretching ball; stretching exercises.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart illustrating participant selection and grouping.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Application-linked massage ball sends information regarding the massage, such as the frequency and the force of massage on the foot, to the application in the patient’s smartphone.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of total Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score between groups during follow-up. Group A is a simple massage ball group and Group B is an application-linked massage ball group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Individual total Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) scores for participants in Group A during follow-up. (B) Individual total Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) scores for participants in Group B during follow-up.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) Comparison of Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) pain scores between groups during follow-up. (B) Comparison of Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) walking/standing scores between groups during follow-up. (C) Comparison of Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) social interaction scores between groups during follow-up. Group A is a simple massage ball group and Group B is an application-linked massage ball group.
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