RESPONSIVENESS AND MINIMAL CLINICALLY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE OF NAVICULAR HEIGHT DROP TEST IN PATIENTS WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/xbgqgk81Keywords:
Plantar fasciitis, Navicular Height Drop Test, Responsiveness, PainAbstract
Introduction
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing heel pain, particularly in individuals aged 40-60 years. The Navicular Height Drop Test (NHDT) is frequently used to assess foot mechanics and overpronation, which can exacerbate plantar fasciitis symptoms.
Objective
The primary objective is to evaluate the responsiveness of NHDT and determine the MCID in patients with plantar fasciitis. This would help assess the effectiveness of treatment interventions.
Methods
An observational prospective cohort study was conducted over 6 months, including 40 participants diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. NHDT was measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The Foot Function Index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Global Rating of Change (GRC) were also used for assessment. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.
Results
Significant reductions in NHDT were observed at all time points, indicating the responsiveness of the test to treatment. A 4 mm decrease in NHDT was correlated with clinically meaningful improvements in foot function and pain reduction, suggesting that NHDT is a valid measure for assessing treatment progress. The MCID was determined to be 4 mm.
Conclusion
This study confirms that the NHDT is both responsive and capable of detecting clinically meaningful changes in patients with plantar fasciitis. The findings support its application as a reliable outcome measure for evaluating treatment effectiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aasim Manzoor, Rubab Naqvi, Qurba Kiran (Author)
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