Comparison of Alfredson and Silbernagel Protocol in Competitive Athletes With Achilles Tendinopathy (NCT05659134) | Clinical Trial Compass
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Comparison of Alfredson and Silbernagel Protocol in Competitive Athletes With Achilles Tendinopathy
Czechia40 participantsStarted 2022-12-02
Plain-language summary
A 6-week randomized clinical trial (RCT) with a 46-week follow-up compared the effect of Alfredson and Silbernagel eccentric programs for the treatment of AT. The primary outcome was a change in the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A) scale from baseline to 12 months. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University (Project number: 254/2021). All participants provided written informed consent before participation.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria:
* Athletes performing track and field, tennis or football at the competitive level
* Age 18 to 40 years
* Unilateral Achilles tendinopathy
* Pain lasting more than 2 months
* Diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy established by pain on function at the Achilles region and ultrasound assessment (tendon thickening, swollen tendon) by one researcher
* Participants trained at least 3 times per week before the onset of Achilles tendinopathy
* Less than 3 months without training and less than 6 months from the last competition/match
* Wish to return to original sport level
* Willing to stop with other treatments 2 weeks before the start of the clinical trial
Exclusion criteria:
* Achilles tendon rupture in past
* Corticosteroid injection in Achilles tendon region in last 6 months
* Having other lower limb musculoskeletal injuries or surgery in the last 6 months (e.g., muscle rupture, bone fracture)
* Having a neurological, systemic or autoimmune disease (e.g., neuropathy, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles (VISA-A)