Does TFM add benefit to loading exercises for Achilles Tendinopathy?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do transverse frictions improve pain and function when used as an adjunct to a strengthening programme for Achilles Tendinopathy?
IRAS ID
246216
Contact name
Liang Q Liu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Middlesex University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Do transverse frictions improve pain and function when added to an exercise programme for patients with Achilles Tendinopathy?
It is known that certain strengthening exercises help with Achilles Tendinopathy (a condition which causes pain on the Achilles tendon behind the ankle/heel). However, despite being used commonly, there is not enough evidence to say that transverse frictions (a type of soft tissue massage) help with this condition. The aim with this study is to find out whether using transverse frictions together with a suitable exercise programme is beneficial in the treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy.
The study will be conducted in two NHS physiotherapy clinics in Birmingham. The researcher himself will fund this study.
Patients diagnosed with Achilles Tendinopathy and consented to participate will be randomly allocated into one of the two groups (12 participants each): “exercise only group” and “exercise and transverse friction group”. Both groups will be given a suitable exercise programme. The “exercise and transverse friction group” will have up to 6 sessions of transverse friction massage on their Achilles tendons. During their visits to the clinic, the exercises will be checked for both groups.
A questionnaire to monitor pain and function in Achilles tendinopathies called VISA-A questionnaire will be filled in 3 times, one on the first appointment, one after 6 weeks and one after 12 weeks. After the completion of treatments, the results will be collated to see if transverse frictions helped with the outcomes.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0244
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion