Electrical DN as an Adjunct to Eccentric Exercise, Stretching + MT for Achilles Tendinopathy

NCT ID: NCT03968614

Last Updated: 2025-05-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

110 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-06-10

Study Completion Date

2026-05-01

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with achilles tendinopathy: eccentric exercise, stretching and manual therapy VS Electric dry needling, eccentric exercise, stretching and manual therapy. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat achilles tendinopathy. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.

Detailed Description

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Patients with achilles tendinopathy will be randomized to receive 8-10 treatments (1-2 treatments per week) over 6 weeks (10 treatments max) of either: (1)Eccentric exercise, stretching, manual therapy and electrical dry needling or 2. eccentric exercise, stretching and manual therapy

Conditions

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Achilles Tendinopathy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Electrical Dry Needling and conventional PT

Electrical Dry Needling, Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Electric dry needling and conventional PT

Intervention Type OTHER

Electrical Dry Needling, Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Conventional PT

Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional PT

Intervention Type OTHER

Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Interventions

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Electric dry needling and conventional PT

Electrical Dry Needling, Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Conventional PT

Eccentric Exercise, Stretching and Manual Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult \>18 years old that is able to speak English.
2. Report of at least 3 months of Achilles pain clinically diagnosed as Achilles tendonitis or Achilles tendinopathy
3. Patient has not had physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment or injections for Achilles pain in the last 6 months:
4. Diagnosis of noninsertional tendinopathy, defined as the following

* Subjective report of pain located 2-6 cm proximal to the insertion of Achilles tendon to the calcaneus, particularly with running or jumping
* Tenderness to palpation of the Achilles tendon while the clinician gently squeezes the tendon between the thumb and index finger in a proximal to distal direction
* Positive Arc Sign - Intratendinous swelling moves relative to the malleoli with the tendon during active dorsi/plantar Flexion
* Royal London Test - Tenderness to palpation decreases significantly or disappears with max dorsiflexion

Exclusion Criteria

1. Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: hypertension infection, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic ischemia, edema, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.
2. History of previous Achilles tendon surgery, ankle arthrodesis, hind foot fracture, or leg length discrepancy of more than one half inch.
3. History of arthrosis or arthritis of the ankle and/or foot.
4. History of significant ankle and/or foot instability
5. Two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following:

1. Muscle weakness involving a major lower extremity muscle group
2. Diminished lower extremity patella or Achilles tendon reflexes
3. Diminished / absent sensation in any lower extremity dermatome
6. Involvement in litigation or worker's compensation regarding foot pain
7. Any condition that might contraindicate the use of electro-needling
8. The patient is pregnant.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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James Dunning, DPT, MSc, FAAOMPT

Primary Investigator and President of Spinal Manipulation Institute and Dry Needling Institute of the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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James Dunning, DPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

American Academy of Manipulative Therapy

Locations

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Prisma Health - Research PT Specialists

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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James Dunning, DPT

Role: CONTACT

18017079056

Raymond Butts, DPT PhD

Role: CONTACT

8034223954

Facility Contacts

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Kris Phillips, DPT

Role: primary

803-296-2273

Other Identifiers

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AAMT30

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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