Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

The role of eccentric training in the management of Achilles tendinopathy: a pilot study
Herrington L, McCulloch R
Physical Therapy in Sport 2007 Nov;8(4):191-196
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: No; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: No. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different types of treatment on Achilles tendinopathy, one proposed to increase tensile strength of the tendon, the other a more traditional treatment used in a clinical setting. DESIGN: Repeated measures trial comparing two interventions. SETTING: Sports injury clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five participants were randomly allocated to the eccentric group (n = 13) or the control group (n = 12). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The VISA-A questionnaire was used to determine outcomes and was administered to all participants at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: All subjects significantly improved over the 12-week period (p = 0.0001), but the eccentric group demonstrated significantly higher (p = 0.014) VISA-A scores at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the addition of a 12-week eccentric exercise programme to conventional treatment of ultrasound and deep transverse frictions is more effective in treating Achilles tendinopathy than conventional treatment alone.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help