At a glance
ClinicalIndex Comparison RecordStandardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.
Tendinopathy Education on the Achilles
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Pain Education and Exercise and Standard Education and Exercise for Achilles Tendinopathy. Completed, enrolled 66 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with individuals who have chronic Achilles tendinopathy (AT). This study investigates the effects of education on outcomes (specified in hypotheses below) related to participation in an exercise program. Participants will be randomized to one of two educational programs. All participants will receive the same exercise intervention. This study will consent and randomize 66 participants, who will complete 2 in-person evaluation sessions (baseline, 8-week follow-up), 8 treatment sessions with a physical therapist (between baseline and 8-week follow-up), and 1 online evaluation sessions (12-week follow-up). We hypothesize that 1) a biopsychosocial approach to education will decrease pain (NPRS) and disability (PROMIS physical function) more than the standard of care for patients with AT, 2) exercise will improve all three pain mechanisms examined in this RCT (increased PPT, decreased kinesiophobia, increased number of heel raises).
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Participants will be randomly assigned to a pain education group, following biopsychosocial model, or standard of care education, following biomedical model. The goals of the pain education intervention are for patients to 1) address fear of movement and pain catastrophizing specific to AT, 2) learn about the neurophysiology of pain, 3) develop coping skills, and 4) promote exercise participation through pacing. This program enables patients to have a conceptual change in their understanding of what causes pain, gain greater control over the psychological aspects of pain, and reduce the perceived threat of chronic pain. Participants will be given weekly online exercises to promote engagement with the material, give individual feedback to participants, and assess understanding. In person sessions with the physical therapist will reinforce self-learning and application to a home exercise program.
The comparison group will be given education based on standard of care resources that primarily utilize a biomedical model, which assumes that AT pain is primarily caused by tissue damage. The videos, handouts, and exercises will be equivalent to the pain education group in terms of time and learning requirements.