Effect of Class IV Laser Therapy Along with Low-Dye Kinesio-Taping Technique or Plantar Fascia Stretching on Pain, Pain Pressure Threshold, and Disability in Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis: Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Overview

This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted to examine the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) paired with either plantar fascia stretching or low-dye taping in individuals with plantar fasciitis. 

The treatment was delivered with a LightForce® High-Intensity Laser.

Key Takeaway

Treatment with a LightForce laser helped produce meaningful reductions in pain and disability in patients with plantar fasciitis within just two weeks. Outcomes were strongest when laser therapy was paired with plantar fascia stretching, suggesting that high-intensity laser is an effective modality that improves pain and tolerance for exercise-based rehabilitation.

Methods:

• Participants: Enrolled 50 adults with plantar fasciitis diagnosis and symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks
• Treatment: All patients received high-intensity laser treatment (HILT) with the LightForce laser (8 W, 8 J/cm²) every other day for 2 weeks. Laser therapy was delivered over the heel and plantar fascia using an on-contact treatment head.
• Patients were also randomized to receive:
→ Low-dye taping 3 times per week, or
→ Stretching exercises twice daily
• Assessments:
→ Pain: Visual Analog Scale, Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT)
→ Disability: Foot Function Index (FFI)

Key Findings:

Improvement Across Both Treatment Arms After Two Weeks
After six sessions of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), both groups showed:
• Significant pain reduction
• Increased PPT
• Improved FFI score
All improvements were clinically significant.

High-Intensity Laser + Stretching Produced the Greatest Overall Gains
The laser + stretching group demonstrated a larger reduction in pain and increase in PPT and greater functional improvement than those that received taping. Laser contributed to this improvement by reducing pain and stiffness allowing patients to better tolerate the stretching exercises.

Study Considerations:

Limitations:

The study was limited by its relatively small sample size, short follow-up period, and lack of a placebo or untreated control group. Tissue changes were not assessed using imaging or biomarkers.

Strengths:
This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial strengthening the evidence supporting high-intensity laser therapy for plantar fasciitis by comparing two commonly used adjunctive treatment approaches. The study employed validated clinical outcome measures, including VAS, PPT, and FFI, and demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements across all endpoints.

Clinical Highlights

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is an evidence-supported treatment for plantar fasciitis that helps to deliver meaningful improvements in pain and function in a short period of time. Combining laser therapy with plantar fascia stretching gives patients the best therapeutic response, improving loading and exercise tolerance and accelerating recovery.

Citation:

Yadav S, Sharma S, Thakur SS, Pattnaik S. Effect of class IV LASER therapy along with Low-dye kinesio-taping technique or plantar fascia stretching on pain, pain pressure threshold, and disability in individuals with plantar fasciitis: Double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2026;41(1):11. Published 2026 Jan 20. doi:10.1007/s10103-025-04778-0