CompletedNot Applicable

Comparison of ESWT and Deep Tissue Massage in Individuals With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Turkey (Türkiye)22 participantsStarted 2025-06-02

Plain-language summary

This study, titled "Comparison of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Deep Tissue Massage in Individuals with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)," is designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. The research will be conducted at the Sports Health Laboratory of the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The study population will consist of individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for MTSS and present to the Sports Medicine outpatient clinic. All participants will undergo an exercise program recommended in the literature for the treatment of MTSS. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups using a sealed-envelope method. One group will receive deep tissue massage in addition to the exercise program, while the other group will receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) alongside the exercises. Additionally, all participants will be treated with conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at 100 Hz for pain control. Initial assessments, randomization, treatment applications (TENS, exercise, deep tissue massage, and ESWT), and outcome evaluations will be performed by different members of the research team. Outcome assessments will be conducted in a blinded manner to ensure objectivity regarding treatment allocation.

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 over 18 years of age, * Those who participate in recreational or professional level sports, * Those diagnosed with MTSS Exclusion Criteria: * Those with fracture findings, including radiological stress fractures, * Those with a history of chronic exercise-related compartment syndrome, * Those who have previously received ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy) or deep tissue massage treatment for MTSS, * Those with rheumatologic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, widespread polyarthritis, etc.), * Those with local infection or tumor in the treatment area, * Pregnant women, * Those with bleeding disorders, * Those with advanced-stage ipsilateral knee and ankle osteoarthritis (defined by severe joint space narrowing, joint sclerosis, and periarticular osteophytes), * Those who have received local injection (e.g., corticosteroids) in the treatment area within the last 3 months, * Those who have previously undergone knee or ankle surgery.

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

Visual Analog Scale

Timeframe: Day 0 (pre-treatment) and Week 3 (post-treatment)

FAAM

Timeframe: Day 0 (pre-treatment) and Week 3 (post-treatment)

Pain Area

Timeframe: Day 0 (pre-treatment) and Week 3 (post-treatment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07056426

SponsorAnkara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome trials

Plain-language summary

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.