Electrical DN as an Adjunct to Eccentric Exercise, Stretching + MT for Achilles Tendinopathy

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorAlabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture

About this trial

The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with achilles tendinopathy: eccentric exercise, stretching and manual therapy VS Electric dry needling, eccentric exercise, stretching and manual therapy. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat achilles tendinopathy. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Adult >18 years old that is able to speak English.

Report of at least 3 months of Achilles pain clinically diagnosed as Achilles tendonitis or Achilles tendinopathy

Diagnosis of noninsertional tendinopathy, defined as the following

Subjective report of pain located 2-6 cm proximal to the insertion of Achilles tendon to the calcaneus, particularly with running or jumping

Disqualifiers

Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: hypertension infection, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic ischemia, edema, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.

History of previous Achilles tendon surgery, ankle arthrodesis, hind foot fracture, or leg length discrepancy of more than one half inch.

History of arthrosis or arthritis of the ankle and/or foot.

History of significant ankle and/or foot instability

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Electric dry needling and conventional PT

    Other intervention

    Electrical Dry Needling, Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

  • Conventional PT

    Other intervention

    Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Treatment groups

110 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Electrical Dry Needling and conventional PTExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Conventional PTActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in VISA-A Questionnaire

Index of severity of Achilles tendinopathy. Lower score means greater severity of condition.

Time frame
baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months

Secondary outcomes

1

Change in achilles pain (NPRS) (Rating Score)

Higher scores mean greater pain

Time frame
baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months
2

Change in Foot and Ankle Ability Measure - ADL

activities of daily living (0-84 points) 21 Item 84-point ADL Subscale

Time frame
baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months
3

Change in Foot and Ankle Ability Measure - Sports

Sports (0-32 points) 8 Item 32-point sports subscale

Time frame
baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months
4

GROC (ranges from -7 to +7). Global Rating of Change score.

Time frame
2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture

Lead sponsor

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Collaborator