A Pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of eccentric exercise in the conservative management of Achilles Tendinopathy - a comparative trial
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN22714311 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22714311 |
| Protocol serial number | N0544160595 |
| Sponsor | Department of Health |
| Funders | Cambridge NHS R&D Consortium - Addenbrookes NHS Trust (UK), NHS R&D Support Funding (UK) |
- Submission date
- 30/09/2005
- Registration date
- 30/09/2005
- Last edited
- 18/10/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year
Plain English summary of protocol
Not provided at time of registration
Contact information
Ms R Smith
Scientific
Scientific
Addenbrookes NHS Trust
Physiotherapy Department Box 185
Addenbrookes Hospital NHS Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A Pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of eccentric exercise in the conservative management of Achilles Tendinopathy - a comparative trial |
| Study objectives | Is the rate of recovery in patients suffering from degenerative Achilles Tendon problems enhanced by beginning eccentric calf strength training exercises in standing from their first appointment? |
| Ethics approval(s) | Not provided at time of registration |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Musculoskeletal Diseases: Achilles tendon |
| Intervention | The rate of recovery in patients suffering from Achilles Tendinopathy starting a loaded (standing) eccentric strength training program immediately is enhanced, in comparison to those who begin eccentric strength training in a non - weightbearing (lying) position. Overall recovery will be better in patients suffering from Achilles Tendinopathy starting a loaded (standing) eccentric strength training program immediately is enhanced, in comparison to those who begin eccentric strength training in a non - weightbearing (lying) position. The study will be conducted in the outpatient physiotherapy department, the natural setting for this type of intervention. Subjects will be opportunistically recruited from a sampling frame of patients referred for physiotherapy with a diagnosis of pain in the region of the Achilles tendon from September 2004 to December 2004 subject to Local Research Ethics Committee approval. Potential subjects will be sent a letter inviting them to attend for an assessment for eligibility to join the trial. Subjects will be asked to telephone and express verbal consent to join the trail, these subjects will be sent an appointment date and a consent form to complete to bring with them to their first session. At their first session, the consent form will be collected, subjects will be given the VISA-A questionnaire to complete and a subjective and objective history will be obtained by the author (a chartered physiotherapist). Following this assessment, subjects will be offered the option to take part in the study based on well defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects who do fulfil the inclusion criteria will be offered a follow up appointment to begin standard intervention through the normal booking procedure. Consenting subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups by computer generated block allocation: 1) The experimental group: eccentric exercise model 1- subjects will be taught eccentric exercises in lying using resistance band and building up to standing exercises as soon as they are comfortable at the highest level of resistance band. 2) The comparison group: eccentric exercise model 2- subjects will be taught eccentric exercises in standing from their first appointment. Protocols describe the exact detail of the training methods will be used. All subjects will be taught static calf stretches, ice massage and the exercises specific to their treatment group. Subjects will be given an exercise sheet to act as a memory aid with written advice on how to progress their exercises independently which will be discussed. Allowing the subjects to advance their exercises independently in this way reduces the potential for experimental bias which is unavoidable because the lead investigator is carrying out the research and is aware of the hypothesis. Both groups will be offered further appointments at week 1, week 3 and week 5 with the expectation that the patients will practise the exercise programme at home independently. A measurement of symptom severity will be evaluated 5 minutes prior to their first follow up appointments at week1, 3, 5, and 8 in all subjects using the Victorian Institute of Sports Association Achilles questionnaire- VISA- A, a validated and reliable condition specific measurement of symptom severity in Achilles tendinopathy. The questionnaire is self administered reducing any potential for observer bias. Data collected will be anonymised and kept securely at all times. Results will be analysed on an intention to treat basis. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Change in the symptoms of pain, stiffness and function measured using the condition specific measurement: the VISA- A questionnaire. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Not provided at time of registration |
| Completion date | 31/12/2004 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Not Specified |
| Sex | Not Specified |
| Target sample size at registration | 20 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Study will be conducted in the outpatient physiotherapy department |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Neurological problems 2. Bilateral symptoms 3. Any other foot and ankle problems 4. Under age 16, over age 65 5. Symptoms over 18 months in duration |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2004 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2004 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Addenbrookes NHS Trust
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ
United Kingdom
CB2 2QQ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
18/10/2017: No publications found, study status unverified
