Effects of Eccentric Strengthening Exercises in Adults With an Achilles Tendinopathy: Predictive Validity and Responsiveness of Quantitative Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Measures
Sponsor study identifier
observational
30
1 country
1
Study Start
August 31, 2021
Actual (reported)Primary Completion
July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)Study Completion
July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)To this day, the most accepted treatment for the Achilles tendinopathy (AT) remains the exercise program to strengthen the plantar flexor muscles. The eccentric exercises protocol proposed by Alfredson is the most popular and recommended one by the rehabilitation professionals. Currently, the response to interventions is measured almost exclusively by clinical data, especially using questionnaires, since the Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) is rarely used. In fact, the thickness of the Achilles tendon, which is generally the only measure noted when using musculoskeletal ultrasound on AT, does not allow the clinician to confirm an improvement following an eccentric exercise program if the tendon is thinner, especially in adults with chronic AT. No scientific evidence indicates whether there is an improvement in the biological integrity of the Achilles tendon following the completion of Alfredson's eccentric strengthening protocol. This is why it seems relevant to use the pre-established minimal biomarker data set obtained with the QUS in order to study the variation of these data in response to a rehabilitation intervention and to verify how these variations influence clinical data.
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
July 31, 2022
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Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
November 13, 2020
Actual (reported)December 3, 2020
Actual (reported)August 31, 2021
Actual (reported)July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)Responsiveness of a minimal data set of measures obtained with the QUS (quantitative ultrasonography)
The primary objective is to determine the responsiveness of a minimal data set of measures obtained with the QUS that characterize the biological integrity of the Achilles tendon (mean thickness, echogenicity, variance, homogeneity at 90 degrees, mean thickness, echogenicity and average homogeneity), after participants have completed the 12-week exercise program.
12 weeks
Persistence of the QUS measures' modification at 3 months post-intervention
12 weeks
Association between the QUS measures' modification and changes in the visual analog pain scale
24 weeks
Association between the QUS measures' modification and changes in the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire
24 weeks
Association between the QUS measures' modification and changes in the Lower Extremity Functional Scale
24 weeks
They will do the eccentric exercise protocol and go through a series of ultrasound examination.
They will do the eccentric exercise protocol and go through a series of ultrasound examination.
This exercise will require the completion of slow active eccentric plantar flexion exercises with the forefoot positioned over the edge of a step. These exercises will be repeated twice daily (three sets of 15 repetitions with the knee in extension and three sets of 15 repetitions with the knee in flexion) during a three-month period. The amount of loading will be calibrated and progressed on a weekly basis by the physiotherapist according the participant's perceived effort and pain intensity.
Registry-reported names are shown in full. Names without a link have not yet been matched to a Syfrah profile.
Participants will be recruited from patients with symptoms consistent with AT in the middle third of the Achilles tendon for at least six weeks. They will be recruited from physical therapy clinics, sports medicine clinic, sports teams and athletic clubs.
Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Montreal
Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1T7, Canada
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Martin Lamontagne, MD
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montreal (CHUM)
30 participants (actual enrollment reported by the registry).
First Submitted
November 13, 2020
First Posted
December 3, 2020
Study Start
August 31, 2021
Actual (reported)Managing Achilles Pain II
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
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Primary Completion
July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)Study Completion
July 31, 2022
Actual (reported)Last Updated
November 3, 2022
Record last verified: 2022-11
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