The Use of Laser in Runners with Achilles Tendonitis using Vascular Points Technique: A clinical, longitudinal, Interventional Study

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Calcaneal tendon; Low-Level Light Therapy

• Registration Number: RBR-4pvhhg5
• Lead Sponsor: niversidade São Francisco - USF

Brief Summary

Introduction: Achilles tendon tendinopathy is a dysfunction characterized by persistent pain in the tendon related to mechanical load, leading to the loss of function. In this context, one of the challenges of physical therapy is to improve the athlete's clinical condition while maintaining training demands, given that the tendon is a poorly vascularized structure. Therefore, stimulating the metabolic component of the tendon may be important in the management of tendinopathy and potentially in prevention. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) using the vascular points technique on pain intensity and sports performance in runners with Achilles tendon tendinopathy. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four runners with a regular training frequency of at least 2 times per week, of both sexes, diagnosed with Achilles tendon tendinopathy, will participate in the study. Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: Vascular PBM (GFTend+Vasc), Tendon PBM (TenPBM), and Placebo (PlacPBM). All participants will receive treatment for 16 sessions twice a week, will undergo pre - and post-treatment (8 weeks) assessments with the following measures: Visa-A-Br, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Muscle Strength (dynamometry), Kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). Patients will undergo follow-up assessments at the 16th, 24th, and 32nd weeks with variables, including training load, tendon pain, and participation in competitions. For PBM application, a cluster containing 5 infrared diodes (810nm) with 200mW power each diode (total cluster energy of 1000mW) will be used. In GFTend+Vasc, the application will be performed on the posterior knee region, in the popliteal fossa, with 3 points of application over the popliteal artery region called "vascular points." These points will be irradiated for 2 minutes each, with 120J of energy per point, totaling 6 minutes. Additionally, GFTend+Vasc will receive application throughout the Achilles tendon and its insertion with 6 points irradiated for 6 J of energy per point, totaling 180 seconds. In TenPBM, irradiation will only be performed on the Achilles tendon body and its insertion. The Placebo (PlacPBM) will undergo simulated irradiation with the same duration as the real application.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-06-27
• Last Update Posted: 22 July 2024
• Study Completion: 2025-02-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ot yet recruiting
• Sex: Not specified
• Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers with insertional calcaneal tendon tendinopathy or in the tendon body, both genders, age between 18-55 years, runners (minimum 10-50 km per week) are in activity that present: symptoms and/or functional disability: VISA-A (<80); Numerical pain scale (>4) during running activity; pain at tendon palpation; modified Blazin > 3; Evaluation of symptoms and functional capacity in Heel Rise and unipodal jump

Exclusion Criteria

Volunteer who has a history of previous lower limb surgery ; any physiotherapeutic treatment for calcaneal tendon tendinopathy in the last 6 months; individuals with a history of recent fracture and/or calcaneal tendon rupture; history of prolonged use of corticosteroids and/or anabolic steroids.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Intervention
• Study Design: Not specified