A Study Examining Changes in Pain After Manual Therapy in People With Achilles Tendon Pain (NCT06134856) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
A Study Examining Changes in Pain After Manual Therapy in People With Achilles Tendon Pain
United States38 participantsStarted 2023-12-05
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this research is to find out how pain sensation may change in the Achilles tendon after the use of manual physical therapy. The testing itself will use a device that gradually produces a sensation of heat or cold on your skin, which we will place directly over your Achilles Tendon. You will let the researcher know when the heat or cold becomes what you would describe as "slight discomfort," at which point the pressure will be stopped. Testing will be completed three (3) times in a row. The device has built-in programming which ensures that the heat or cold applied will be safe, even though it may be briefly uncomfortable. After this first testing the researchers will perform 1-3 repetitions of the ankle joint mobilization/manipulation. This technique involves the researcher providing a small quick stretching movement downwards at the ankle. This is a common therapeutic technique utilized by Physical Therapists, chiropractors, and physicians and is considered very safe. After this treatment we will perform the same measurements of hot and cold discomfort on your Achilles tendon
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Individuals who self-report pain in the back of the heel (Achilles tendon) persisting for at least 3 months.
Prior to inclusion in the study, subjects will undergo a brief clinical screen by the investigators to confirm the signs of Achilles tendinopathy. This screen will consist of assessing for tenderness to palpation in the Achilles tendon and the Royal London Hospital Test (Tenderness to pressure is assessed with the subject in maximal active dorsiflexion and is positive if reduced in this position as compared to the resting state.)
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of any surgery distal to the fibular head on the involved lower extremity
* Cortisone injection to the painful Achilles tendon within the last 6 months
* History of diagnosed ankle joint or connective tissue instability
* Current pregnancy
* Age under 18 years of age
* Unable or unwilling to give consent for test and/or treatment procedures
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
Heat and Cold Thresholds
Timeframe: Baseline and 1 hour
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06134856
SponsorPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine