Isometric exercise in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A comparison of the effects of two isometric calf muscle exercise(s) on pain and function in patients with chronic, mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy.
IRAS ID
245669
Contact name
Ben Bradford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Achilles tendinopathy is a painful disorder of the ankle that is becoming much more common in the general population. Physiotherapy and strengthening exercises of the calf muscles are usually recommended as the first choice of treatment.
However, there are currently few treatments that have an immediately beneficial effect on Achilles tendon pain. If we could reduce Achilles tendon pain in the short term then this may help patients participate in a previously painful activity, reduce the need for pain relief medication and improve adherence with any further exercise programme.
Isometric exercise has been shown to immediately reduce the pain in Patella tendinopathy of the knee. An isometric exercise is where the muscle is working against resistance, but without any movement of the limb or joint. The effects of isometric exercise on Achilles tendon pain have yet to be fully established.
This study aims to examine the immediate effects of two isometric exercises on a previously painful Achilles tendon activity. Patients referred to NHS outpatient physiotherapy for their Achilles tendon pain will be asked to participate in the study.
Patients who are potentially eligible to participate will be asked to fill in three pre-screening documents before their first Physiotherapy appointment. The patient will then be invited to the human performance laboratory at the University of East Anglia to examine their calf muscle strength using a machine known as a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer.
The patient will be randomised to one of two isometric calf muscle exercise(s.) These exercises will be performed on the Cybex dynamometer. We will examine the patient’s level of tendon pain during a pre-defined activity before and after the two isometric exercises. This information will determine whether either exercise has an immediately beneficial effect on tendon pain.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
18/NS/0094
Date of REC Opinion
20 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion