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Contact Information:

Chris Drake
c.j.drake@leeds.ac.uk


Chris Drake
c.j.drake@leeds.ac.uk


Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Plantar Heel Pain Mechanisms of Action Study Evaluation

Plantar Heel Pain Mechanisms of Action Study Evaluation

Completed

Open to: Female / Male

Age: 18 Years - N/A

Medical Conditions

Other soft tissue disorders


This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Plantar heel pain (PHP) is one of the most common causes of foot pain, affecting one in ten people over the age of 50. While this pain may reduce after getting up and walking around, for many people the pain remains, limiting their physical activity and impacting their quality of life. There are a number of treatments for PHP but no single treatment has been shown to be more effective than the others.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded the TREADON trial (Treatments of exercise and orthotic devices for plantar heel pain NIHR 131638), to compare the effect of commonly used PHP treatments (interventions)- (i) self-management advice; (ii) exercises; (iii) shoe insoles; and (iv) a combination of exercises and insoles. TREADON will recruit people with PHP from England and Scotland, including sites in Yorkshire/Humber.

The PHASE study is a sub-study which will recruit 120 participants from TREADON’s Yorkshire and Humber sample. The aim of the research is to understand how the trial interventions actually work- known as the mechanism of action. This is important as the information can help us design future treatments and can be used for other conditions, helping a wide range of people.

PHASE will use a scan (MRI) of the foot, a detailed assessment of how a person walks and the strength and movement in the foot and ankle to see what the important changes are during treatment. Participants will be asked to attend two study visits at Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, which will last approximately 2 hours. The first visit will be before treatment in the TREADON trial and the second visit should be 12 weeks after treatment starts.

This project is funded through a NIHR research fellowship (NIHR 302199, IRAS 314272) and sponsored by the University of Leeds. PHASE is an entirely self contained University of Leeds study. It is not an NHS based study although the Leeds BRC facilities are within an NHS site. No care or intervention is being provided in this study.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

18 Jan 2024 01 Mar 2025

Observational

Observational type: Cohort study;



You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. serious pathologies requiring urgent medical attention (e.g. trauma, tumour, infection) 2. treatment by a physiotherapist or podiatrist for PHP other than TREADON trial intervention during the 12 week study period 3. surgery on the affected foot during the 12 week study period 4. corticosteroid injection into the affected foot during the 12 week study period 5. Patients excluded from 3T MRI scan in accordance with local MRI safety policy and procedures


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Chapel Allerton Hospital
    Chapeltown Road
    Leeds
    West Yorkshire
    LS7 4SA


The study is sponsored by University of Leeds and funded by NIHR Academy .




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for Trial ID: CPMS 55063

Last updated 25 April 2025

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