Shockwave, Photobiomodulation, and Physical Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy

NCT ID: NCT05751785

Last Updated: 2025-07-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 48 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-02-13
• Study Completion Date: 2024-11-14

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn more about and compare the effectiveness of standard of care (SOC) physical therapy (PT), PT with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT; low-level laser therapy), PT with shockwave therapy (SWT; high-energy acoustic wave therapy), and PT with PBMT and SWT, to improve function, decrease pain, and resolve symptoms in individuals with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The main question it aims to answer is:

• What is the most effective treatment method for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy?

Participants will

Researchers will compare PT, PT + SWT, PT + SWT and PBMT to assess the most effective treatment for Achilles tendinopathy.

Detailed Description

Non-insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) is a common overuse injury in adults who are both athletes and nonactive. Tendinopathy occurs when there is either a failed healing response or the failure of normal turnover or remodeling response, and results in pain and limited movement. In the military, lower-extremity injuries due to overuse, (e.g., AT) are the most common category of injuries. The most common treatment of choice for AT is exercise loading programs, however eccentric strengthening (ECC) may only improve symptoms in approximately 60% of patients. Laser-induced photobiomodulation (PBM) has been shown to increase cell proliferation and metabolism, which may aid in the repair and remodeling process. Studies have found that PBM was effective in the treatment of AT. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a process in which energy is delivered to the muscles or tendons for pain relief. Current literature supports the use of ESWT as an effective treatment for AT in combination with ECC. Overall, studies indicate that ESWT and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) will be effective in treating tendon injuries such as AT, however, these treatment methods have not been evaluated in comparison or combination with each other. The sub-section of AT amongst Active-Duty personnel has very limited research and given the high prevalence, should be addressed. Therefore, our study will compare three different treatment arms utilizing traditional physical therapy (PT), PT plus ESWT, PT plus PBMT, and PT plus ESWT and PBMT. Both self-reported questionnaires and measured outcomes will be used to assess the most effective treatment for AT.

Conditions

Achilles Tendinopathy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Physical Therapy (PT) Only

Participants in the PT only arm will follow the PT program outlined above. Twice a week for three weeks, a team member will check-in with the participants to ensure physical therapy exercise adherence, and response to treatment. During the second check-in of the week, the study team member will also ensure the participant is keeping their activity/medication/pain log; the study team member will also deliver the DVPRS with supplemental questions. (See Appendix F for Check-in Data Collection CRF). These check-ins may occur virtually or in person.

In Part 1, the physical therapy only arm requires 8 visits. The participants will complete 2 check-in visits each week (remote or in person), for three weeks. Follow-up data will be collected at 6 weeks (virtual or in-person) and at 3 months (in-person).

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants may complete a PT program as standard of care (SOC) treatment addressing individual strength, mobility, and flexibility deficits in both proximal (e.g. spine and hip girdle) along with distal (thigh, leg, and foot/ankle) muscle groups. The provider may also use other modalities to address distal issues. To standardize the loading program, all participants will be given an at-home exercise program designed by Dr. Karin Sibernagel for progressive Achilles tendon loading. The participants will also follow the University of Delaware Return to Sport protocol for return to running. This will be completed alongside the standard of care PT participants will be receiving.

PT + Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT)

The physical therapy + photobiomodulation therapy arm will receive PBMT twice a week, for three weeks, in addition to the PT treatment described above.

A member of the study team will measure the treatment area according to a standard protocol (Appendix N PBM Dose Calculations), to calculate and determine the treatment time, approximately 5-20 minutes. PBMT will be delivered at 25W.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants may complete a PT program as standard of care (SOC) treatment addressing individual strength, mobility, and flexibility deficits in both proximal (e.g. spine and hip girdle) along with distal (thigh, leg, and foot/ankle) muscle groups. The provider may also use other modalities to address distal issues. To standardize the loading program, all participants will be given an at-home exercise program designed by Dr. Karin Sibernagel for progressive Achilles tendon loading. The participants will also follow the University of Delaware Return to Sport protocol for return to running. This will be completed alongside the standard of care PT participants will be receiving.

Photobiomodulation Therapy

Intervention Type: DEVICE

PBMT is delivered with the LightForce® XPi 25W device through the Smart Hand Piece technology. The therapy is transmitted with a rolling glass massage ball at 10 Joules/cm\^2 that is applied in a serpentine manner over the site of injury.

PT + Shockwave Therapy (SWT)

The physical therapy + shockwave therapy arm will receive SWT once a week for three weeks in addition to the PT treatment described above. Twice a week, for three weeks, a team member will check-in with the participants to ensure physical therapy exercise adherence, and response to treatment. During the second check-in of the week, the study team member will also ensure the participant is keeping their activity/medication/pain log; the study team member will also deliver the DVPRS with supplemental questions. (See Appendix F for Check- in Data Collection CRF). The first check-in of the week will occur in-person after the SWT, if, however, this is not feasible, it may be conducted virtually; the second check-in of the week may occur virtually or in-person.

In total, participants will receive one SWT treatment each week (in person) and complete two check-ins each week (remote or in person), for three weeks. The SWT will take approximately 5-20 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants may complete a PT program as standard of care (SOC) treatment addressing individual strength, mobility, and flexibility deficits in both proximal (e.g. spine and hip girdle) along with distal (thigh, leg, and foot/ankle) muscle groups. The provider may also use other modalities to address distal issues. To standardize the loading program, all participants will be given an at-home exercise program designed by Dr. Karin Sibernagel for progressive Achilles tendon loading. The participants will also follow the University of Delaware Return to Sport protocol for return to running. This will be completed alongside the standard of care PT participants will be receiving.

Shockwave Therapy

Intervention Type: DEVICE

A medical provider will conduct SWT on study participants using the OrthoPlus Ultra 100. This Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Treatment device will be used at a radial shockwave of 3000 counts treatment settings of 15 Hz minimum 2 bars with a focus applicator head at mid-portion of Achilles using clinical focusing technique, and 3000 counts at 15 Hz minimum 2.5 bars using broad oscillator to myotendinous region and over symptomatic areas of gastrocnemius and soleus, treatment will be applied distally to proximally to facilitate lymphatic return adjusting treatment air pressure and amount of force applied by applicator head by patient comfort. The maximum setting for each treatment applicator will be 4 bars of air pressure, and the first 500 counts using each applicator will be applied at 1.5 bars to help desensitize the tissue prior to increasing energy settings. The settings used for each participant will be recorded and followed in a similar approach to treatment.

PT + SWT and PBMT

The PT + SWT + PBMT arm will receive both SWT and PBMT treatments in addition to PT treatment described above. Participants will receive PBMT twice a week and SWT once a week, for three weeks. The SWT visit may be combined with a PBMT visit in the same week. Up to two times each week after a treatment visit (for three weeks), a team member will check-in with the participants to ensure physical therapy exercise adherence, and response to treatment. During the second check-in of the week, the team member will also ensure the participant is keeping their activity/medication/pain log; the team member will also deliver the DVPRS with supplemental questions. When/if needed, these check-ins may occur virtually. (See Appendix F for check-in data collection CRF).

In Part 1, the PT+ SWT + PBMT treatment arm requires 8 visits: 3 for PBMT alone with check- ins (in person), 3 for PBMT & SWT with check-ins (in person), 6-week follow-up (virtual or in-person), and 3-month follow-up (in person).

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants may complete a PT program as standard of care (SOC) treatment addressing individual strength, mobility, and flexibility deficits in both proximal (e.g. spine and hip girdle) along with distal (thigh, leg, and foot/ankle) muscle groups. The provider may also use other modalities to address distal issues. To standardize the loading program, all participants will be given an at-home exercise program designed by Dr. Karin Sibernagel for progressive Achilles tendon loading. The participants will also follow the University of Delaware Return to Sport protocol for return to running. This will be completed alongside the standard of care PT participants will be receiving.

Shockwave Therapy

Intervention Type: DEVICE

A medical provider will conduct SWT on study participants using the OrthoPlus Ultra 100. This Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Treatment device will be used at a radial shockwave of 3000 counts treatment settings of 15 Hz minimum 2 bars with a focus applicator head at mid-portion of Achilles using clinical focusing technique, and 3000 counts at 15 Hz minimum 2.5 bars using broad oscillator to myotendinous region and over symptomatic areas of gastrocnemius and soleus, treatment will be applied distally to proximally to facilitate lymphatic return adjusting treatment air pressure and amount of force applied by applicator head by patient comfort. The maximum setting for each treatment applicator will be 4 bars of air pressure, and the first 500 counts using each applicator will be applied at 1.5 bars to help desensitize the tissue prior to increasing energy settings. The settings used for each participant will be recorded and followed in a similar approach to treatment.

Photobiomodulation Therapy

Intervention Type: DEVICE

PBMT is delivered with the LightForce® XPi 25W device through the Smart Hand Piece technology. The therapy is transmitted with a rolling glass massage ball at 10 Joules/cm\^2 that is applied in a serpentine manner over the site of injury.

Interventions

Physical Therapy

All participants may complete a PT program as standard of care (SOC) treatment addressing individual strength, mobility, and flexibility deficits in both proximal (e.g. spine and hip girdle) along with distal (thigh, leg, and foot/ankle) muscle groups. The provider may also use other modalities to address distal issues. To standardize the loading program, all participants will be given an at-home exercise program designed by Dr. Karin Sibernagel for progressive Achilles tendon loading. The participants will also follow the University of Delaware Return to Sport protocol for return to running. This will be completed alongside the standard of care PT participants will be receiving.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Shockwave Therapy

A medical provider will conduct SWT on study participants using the OrthoPlus Ultra 100. This Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Treatment device will be used at a radial shockwave of 3000 counts treatment settings of 15 Hz minimum 2 bars with a focus applicator head at mid-portion of Achilles using clinical focusing technique, and 3000 counts at 15 Hz minimum 2.5 bars using broad oscillator to myotendinous region and over symptomatic areas of gastrocnemius and soleus, treatment will be applied distally to proximally to facilitate lymphatic return adjusting treatment air pressure and amount of force applied by applicator head by patient comfort. The maximum setting for each treatment applicator will be 4 bars of air pressure, and the first 500 counts using each applicator will be applied at 1.5 bars to help desensitize the tissue prior to increasing energy settings. The settings used for each participant will be recorded and followed in a similar approach to treatment.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Photobiomodulation Therapy

PBMT is delivered with the LightForce® XPi 25W device through the Smart Hand Piece technology. The therapy is transmitted with a rolling glass massage ball at 10 Joules/cm\^2 that is applied in a serpentine manner over the site of injury.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

SOC PT; SWT; PBMT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• DEERS Eligible
• Between the ages of 18-64
• Currently Active Duty in any of the US Armed Forces
• Clinical diagnosis of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (including both unilateral and bilateral) by a healthcare provider based on accepted diagnostic criteria.
• Able to read and understand English language for consent purposes
• Able to commit to 3-weeks of intervention and 6-months of follow-up

Exclusion Criteria

• Primary insertional Achilles tendinopathy
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), corticosteroid injection, or prolotherapy within 3 months
• Received dry needling within the past 4 weeks
• Previously completed the Silbernagel protocol for Achilles tendinopathy within the past 3 months
• Received SWT within the past 3 months to their Achilles
• Tattoo in the area of treatment (due to sensitivity to PBMT)
• Current use of pacemaker
• Patients with a known underlying cardiac disease that could be affected by SWT
• Patients with neuropathy affecting sensation to pain
• Current use of medications associated with sensitivity to heat or light (e.g. amiodarone, chlorpromazine, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, nalidixic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, tetracycline, thioridazine, voriconazole)
• Current or chronic sciatica (lumbosacral radiculopathy) resulting in chronic or intermittent lower extremity pain, numbness, or tingling.
• Achilles tendon tear or prior Achilles tendon surgery
• Recent lower extremity injury within the last 3 months that required professional medical attention (e.g., ankle sprain, meniscus)
• Concurrent participation in another research study addressing pain issue
• Previously enrolled in the study for contralateral (opposite) leg
• Currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant during intervention period (safety of PBM not established in pregnancy) as determined by hCG urine test
• Diagnosis of rheumatological disease/connective tissue condition, symptomatic arthritis of foot and ankle, a primary running related injury outside of Achilles tendinopathy, or other contraindications to PBMT or SWT

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 64 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

FED

Sponsor Role: collaborator

The Geneva Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness

FED

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Jeremy D Schroeder

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Madigan Army Medical Center

Locations

Madigan Army Medical Center

Tacoma, Washington, United States

Countries

United States

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

Photomedicine Project 10

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id