Astym® Compared Eccentric Exercise for Chronic Mid-substance Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendon Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Astym® Treatment Compared With Eccentric Exercise in the Management of Chronic Mid-substance Achilles Tendinopathy: A Multisite a Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01902433
• Other study ID #: ASTYM2013
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• First received: July 15, 2013
• Last updated: January 21, 2017
• Start date: August 2013
• Est. completion date: January 2017

Study information

• Verified date: January 2017
• Source: University of Indianapolis
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the changes in pain and self-perceived function between two different treatments for Achilles tendinopathy: the Astym® protocol (a form of soft tissue mobilization using instruments) and a specific exercise protocol that involves strengthening the calf and Achilles tendon. Astym® (A-stim) is not an acronym, but rather stands for "A Stimulation" of the body's healing response, describing the physiologic process which occurs with Astym treatment. Astym is the trademark name of a non-invasive treatment where instruments are applied topically to locate unhealthy soft tissue, and to transfer mild to moderate pressure to the underlying soft tissue structures. The aim of Astym treatment is to eliminate scar tissue and stimulate tissue regeneration. Both the principal investigator and co-investigator have been trained and certified in administering the Astym treatment. The specific exercise protocol will involve exercises that strengthen the Achilles and calf through eccentric exercise. Eccentric exercise is a form of exercise where the benefit comes from applying a controlled lengthening stress to the muscle and tendon.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: January 2017
• Est. primary completion date: January 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 20 Years to 60 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

• Pain for 3 months or longer in the mid portion of only one Achilles tendon.

• Must read, speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous surgery to the Achilles tendon that is currently painful

• An injection into the Achilles tendon in the previous 4 weeks

• Have symptoms in both Achilles tendons concurrently

• Have taken fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the past 6 months

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Achilles Tendon Pain
• Tendinopathy

Intervention

Procedure:
• Astym

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	IU Health	Indianapolis	Indiana
United States	Utah Physical Therapy	Lehi	Utah

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Emily Slaven, PT, PhD	Performance Dynamics

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	VISA-A		1 year
Secondary	Numeric Pain Rating Scale		1 year