Table 2 NRS scores during treatment in both groups (n = 80, mean ± SD)

Overall NRS score

Control group (n = 40)

7.13 ± 0.69

3.65 ± 0.86^*

4.18 ± 0.78^*#

F = 318.328,

P < 0.001

F = 20.507,

P < 0.001

F = 5.452,

P = 0.006

Test group (n = 40)

7.08 ± 0.80

2.95 ± 0.78^*&

3.3 ± 0.91^*#&

T

0.301

3.798

4.611

P

0.764

< 0.001

< 0.001

Heel pain at first step

Control group (n = 40)

7.30 ± 0.76

3.73 ± 0.85 ^*

3.93 ± 0.83 ^*△

F = 999.165,

P < 0.001

F = 13.438,

P = 0.001

F = 7.724,

P = 0.001

Test group (n = 40)

7.28 ± 0.82

3.03 ± 0.73^*&

3.13 ± 0.79^*#△

T

0.142

3.952

4.418

P

0.887

< 0.001

< 0.001

Heel pain with daily activities

Control group (n = 40)

7.20 ± 0.79

3.48 ± 0.78 ^*

3.98 ± 0.77 ^*#

F = 1058.978,

P < 0.001

F = 11.152,

P < 0.001

F = 8.431,

P < 0.001

Test group (n = 40)

7.23 ± 0.66

2.88 ± 0.69^*&

3.25 ± 0.87^*#&

t

-0.154

3.642

3.953

P

0.878

< 0.001

< 0.001