Conflicting evidence exists regarding the recommendations from the Orthopaedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association for treatment of Achilles tendinitis. Trigger point dry needling is effective in reducing pain in several body regions, but no published (TDN) studies are found reporting the effect on Achilles tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a treatment program performed including TDN, manual therapy and exercise will result in a significant improvement in pain, strength and function compared to a treatment program including manual therapy and exercise for Achilles tendinopathy. Subjects with Achilles tendinopathy that receive treatment including TDN, manual therapy and exercise will demonstrate a significant improvement in pain, strength and functional outcomes compared to the group that receives manual therapy and exercise.
This study is a randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest control group design comparing the effect of TDN, manual therapy and exercise to manual therapy and exercise on human subjects with Achilles tendinopathy following eight treatments in four weeks and a follow up examination at three months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
soft tissue mobilization, stretches, concentric and eccentric strengthening
trigger point dry needling to trigger points located in the gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis posterior
Breakthrough Physical Therapy
Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
Change in Functional Activity Level from baseline with the Functional Ankle Ability Measure
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in Functional Activity Level from baseline with the Functional Ankle Ability Measure
Time frame: 3 months
Change in Pain from Baseline with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in Pain from Baseline with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: 3 months
Change in Fear of Activity from baseline with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in Fear of Activity from baseline with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Time frame: 3 months
Change in Pain from baseline with the Global Rating of Change
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in Pain from baseline with the Global Rating of Change
Time frame: 3 months
Change in Pain from baseline with the Pain Pressure Threshold Measure
Primary site of pain on the Achilles tendon. All measurements taken with the Wagner FPK 20 Algometer.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in Pain from baseline with the Pain Pressure Threshold Measure
Primary site of pain on the Achilles tendon. All measurements taken with the Wagner FPK 20 Algometer.
Time frame: 3 months
Change in strength from baseline with the Muscle Endurance Test for single leg heel raise
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in strength from baseline with the Muscle Endurance Test for single leg heel raise
Time frame: 3 months
Age
Demographic information -
Time frame: baseline
Height
Demographic information
Time frame: baseline
Weight
Demographic information
Time frame: baseline
Gender
Demographic information
Time frame: baseline
Duration of Pain
Demographic information
Time frame: baseline
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