Effectiveness of website education for adults with plantar heel pain: a randomised controlled trial

INTERVENTION: This is a parallel‐group design comparing the effectiveness of the MyHeelPain website to a control group that is asked to access publicly available information on plantar heel pain (PHP). The MyHeelPain website was designed by researchers at La Trobe University and was based on clinical practice guidelines, expert opinions and people with PHP. Intervention group (MyHeelPain treatment group) Participants in the MyHeelPain treatment group will receive access to a password protected website for 6 weeks that is not publicly available. The website is designed to educate participants with heel pain on how to self‐­manage their pain based on the current evidence and needs of people with PHP. This website consists of three main sections: (1) About heel pain This section provides information covering a variety of subjects including diagnosis, prognosis, and prevalence of heel pain. Information will be presented in written form and short videos. (2) Treatments This section includes treatment options that have been found to be beneficial for PHP (education, taping, foot orthoses, footwear advice and exercises) and information about common treatments with inconsistent evidence (e.g. heel surgery, injections, night splints, strengthening exercises). Information will be presented in written form and short videos. (3) Do it yourself ‐ a step‐by‐step plan This section includes a step‐by‐step approach to the treatment of PHP including treatments to try at each step and when to progress to the next step. This plan is based on the experience and needs of people with PHP. Information will be presented in written form. The participants will have access to videos designed to help them undertake specific treatments (e.g. exercise and taping). CONDITION: Anaesthesiology ‐ Pain management Musculoskeletal ‐ Other muscular and skeletal disorders Plantar heel pain ; ; Plantar heel pain Public Health ‐ Health promotion/education PRIMARY OUTCOME: General foot pain will be evaluated using the pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire[6 weeks post intervention allocation. ] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be initially screened using an online survey. Specific questions will be made to fully comprehend the participant’s condition and potential confounders (i.e. exclusion criteria). Questions such as “Have you ever had foot surgery?” and “Do you have pain in other parts of your body other than your feet?” will be asked. Afterwards, inclusion and exclusion criteria will be further confirmed in an online meeting with a clinician (MC – the Principal Investigator). Participants will be considered potentially eligible if they meet the following criteria: i. Aged 18 years and over ii. Pain beneath the heel which corresponds to at least 2 out of 10 on a numerical rating scale (NRS) in the previous week iii. Pain beneath the heel that has been present for at least 1 month duration iv. Pain beneath the heel that was of a gradual onset v. Reside in Australia vi. Adequate English to complete outcome measu SECONDARY OUTCOME: Anxiety will be evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS‐21)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Catastrophizing will be evaluated using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Depression will be evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS‐21)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Digital literacy will be evaluated using a single question on a 0 to 100 mm scale: how confident are you using the internet to understand health information?[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] First step pain will be evaluated using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Foot function will be evaluated using the foot function domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Health literacy will be evaluated using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). The HLQ includes 44 items and nine dimensions however only Dimensions 2 and 3 will be included ‘having sufficient information to manage my health’ and ‘actively managing my health’.[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Kinesiophobia will be evaluated using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK‐17)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ] Stress will be evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS‐21)[6 and 12 weeks post intervention allocation ]