"Effects of Rigid Tape in Patients With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy"

University of Gran Rosario

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Achilles Tendinopathy (AT)

Treatments: Other: Rigid Tape; Other: Placebo Control

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07123246

Rigid Tape and Achilles Tendon

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study will be to determine the clinical effects of rigid tape in patients with chronic MAT. The secondary outcomes will be to evaluate the immediate and short term pain, the height and pain during the vertical jump, the satisfaction of the use of the tape and the global rating of change (GROC) of the intervention. This study will be a double-blinded randomized clinical trial comprising a total sample size of 36 participants with MAT of both genders and aged between 18 and 50 years. Subjects will undergo a screening process by a sports medicine doctor by different diagnostic tests to identify those presenting a diagnosis of painful MAT and then, they will be randomized into either a group performing experimental rigid tape (G1), or a group performing placebo tape (G2). The study will assess the subjects immediate and short-term tendon pain following the tape application during running and vertical jump. Also the tape satisfaction and GROC will be assessed. The rigid tape will be applied in the central portion of the Achilles tendon. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediate after the application of the tape and 72 hours after. The GROC will only be assessed at the end of the treatment. All the evaluations will be performed by a blinded physiotherapist. The patient will also be blinded.

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral MAT
• Achilles pain > 3 months
• Age ranging between 18 to 50 years, both genders
• Read and speak Spanish well enough to provide informed consent and follow study instructions.
• Pain during running and jumping.

Exclusion criteria

• Any ankle or foot surgery
• History of Achilles rupture
• Heel pain in the last 3 months
• Systemic disorders/diseases
• Body mass index > 30kg/m2
• Self-report of pregnancy
• Pain < 2/100 of average pain on VAS
• VISA A score > 90 points

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Rigid Tape group

Experimental group

Description:

All participants in this arm will use a rigid tape during 72 hours. The rigid tape will consist of applying a pre-tape (Hypafix) to the patient´s skin, followed by an inelastic tape (Strappal) over it. The purpose of applying a pre-tape is to protect the skin from injury and to promote adherence of the rigid tape. The Strappal tape will be applied in a circular motion over the Achilles tendon, above the point of maximum pain felt by the patient, with compression to generate a biomechanical effect. The outcomes will be assessed before, immediately after and at 72 hours.

Treatment:

Other: Rigid Tape

Placebo Tape group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The placebo tape will consist of applying a circular bandage to the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon. However, the pre-tape and a short piece of strappal will be applied without tension during its application, to avoid generating a biomechanical compression effect. The variables to be studied will be assessed before, immediately after, and 72 hours later.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo Control