LOAD-intensity and time-under-tension of exercises for men who have Achilles tendinopathy (the LOADIT trial): a randomised feasibility trial

Effects of sensorimotor training on functional and pain outcomes in achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

Background

Considering the neuromuscular alterations in Achilles tendinopathy (AT), sensorimotor training (SMT) might be beneficial to restore the neuromuscular capacity of the muscle-tendon complex and thereby improve patients' functions and alleviate symptoms. However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the effects of SMT on improving functional (e.g., strength) and pain outcomes in this population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to synthesize current evidence to analyze the efficacy of SMT in people with AT.

Methods

A systematic electronic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to December 2023. Studies applying SMT in people with AT investigating functional or clinical pain outcomes were considered. Protocols had to incorporate balance, stabilization, proprioception, or vibration training. Patients with insertional or mid-portion AT (≥18 years age) diagnosed with clinical or sonographic evaluation were included.

Results

The search yielded 823 records. A total of three randomized controlled trials were considered eligible for the analysis. Each trial used a different SMT protocol: balance training, balance with stabilization training, or whole-body vibration training (WBVT) with other co-interventions. Most functional and pain parameters improved compared to baseline. The first study reported a decrease in pain and an increase in performance (i.e., countermovement jump height) and endurance (i.e., number of heel-raises) by 12-week use of a balance training in addition to isometric, concentric/eccentric, and eccentric exercises. The second study evaluated the four weeks effect of SMT (balance and stabilization training plus eccentric exercises) in addition to passive physiotherapy (deep frictions, ice, ultrasound), resulting in an increased plantarflexion peak torque and reduced pain levels. The third study investigating WBVT reported at 12 weeks an increase in flexibility and a decrease in tendon pain.

Discussion

SMT in addition to other co-interventions (i.e., eccentric, isometric, concentric/eccentric training, physiotherapy) showed improvements in strength, performance, muscle flexibility, and alleviated clinical outcomes of pain. SMT might therefore be useful as part of a multimodal treatment strategy protocol in patients suffering from AT. However, due to the small number of studies included and the diversity of SMT protocols, the current evidence is weak; its additional effectiveness should be evaluated.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=467698, Identifier CRD42023467698.

Efficacy of heel lifts for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (the LIFT trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition, characterised by localised Achilles tendon load-related pain and dysfunction. Numerous non-surgical treatments have been proposed for the treatment of this condition, but many of these treatments have a poor or non-existent evidence base. Heel lifts have also been advocated as a treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, but the efficacy and mechanism of action of this intervention is unclear. This proposal describes a randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of heel lifts versus sham heel lifts for reducing pain associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, with an embedded biomechanical analysis.

METHODS

One hundred and eight men and women aged 18 to 65 years with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria) will be recruited. Participants will be randomised, using the website Sealed Envelope, to either a control group (sham heel lifts) or an experimental group (heel lifts). Both groups will be provided with education regarding acceptable pain levels to ensure all participants receive some form of treatment. The participants will be instructed to use their allocated intervention for at least 8 h every day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity (numerical rating scale) at its worst over the previous week. The secondary outcome measures will be additional measures of Achilles tendon pain and disability, participant-perceived global ratings of change, function, level of physical activity and health-related quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline and the primary endpoint (week 12). Data will be analysed using the intention-to-treat principle. In addition, the acute kinetic and kinematic effects of the interventions will be examined at baseline in a subpopulation of the participants (n = 40) while walking and running using three-dimensional motion analysis.

DISCUSSION

The LIFT trial (efficacy of heeL lIfts For mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy) will be the first randomised trial to compare the efficacy of heel lifts to a sham intervention in reducing pain and disability in people with Achilles tendinopathy. The biomechanical analysis will provide useful insights into the mechanism of action of heel lifts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12623000627651 . Registered 7 June 2023.

Behaviour change and rehabilitation adherence in adults with tendinopathy: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This scoping review aimed to identify behaviour change strategies influencing rehabilitation adherence in adults with tendinopathy, a common musculoskeletal condition requiring prolonged rehabilitation with poor adherence and variable outcomes.

METHODS

Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, seven databases were searched until April 2023. Records included reviews, intervention, and qualitative studies published in English. Behaviour change strategies were deductively coded and mapped to the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B).

RESULTS

Eighty-six articles were retained. The primary behaviour change strategies in tendinopathy rehabilitation reports addressed Psychological Capability; from knowledge through education, instruction, and self-monitoring using exercise diaries. Also, Social Opportunity involves demonstration and monitoring of rehabilitation behaviour, and Physical Opportunity focuses on time-efficient programs with access to equipment and health professionals. Few reports addressed Automatic Motivation (positive reinforcement and habit formation). Barriers identified in the reports were Reflective Motivation (negative beliefs and fears), Physical Opportunity (time-constraints), and Physical Capability (pain and comorbidities).

CONCLUSIONS

Further research should explore the impact of education on beliefs, fears, and pain-management, as well as the effectiveness of teaching habit formation for improved time-management. Implementing these behaviour change strategies may enhance tendinopathy rehabilitation adherence, improving clinical trial efficacy, guiding clinical practice, and impacting patient outcomes.

Assessing calf exercise fidelity among people with Achilles tendinopathy using videos recorded via Zoom®: an observational study

PURPOSE

Exercise fidelity is a fundamental aspect of exercise prescription by physiotherapists. Assessing exercise fidelity via telehealth (videoconference) is potentially useful but its reproducibility has not been assessed. The objective was to evaluate agreement (reproducibility) of video rating of calf exercise fidelity within (over four weeks) and between telehealth raters and compared with live rating.

METHODS

Nineteen videos of participants with AT undertaking calf exercises were rated by physiotherapists in person (live) and by watching pre-recorded videos (replicating telehealth). Three forms of agreement were assessed: (i) between live assessment and recorded video (telehealth) assessment; (ii) between telehealth raters (inter-rater); (iii) agreement within telehealth raters over four weeks (intra-rater).

RESULTS

There was weak to almost perfect agreement (Kappa = 0.65 to 1.00, rater 1, Kappa = 0.57 to 1.00, rater 2) between the telehealth and live raters. There was moderate to almost perfect agreement (Kappa = 0.65 to 1.00) when assessing intra-rater reliability, aside from one of the six criteria (quality of movement).

CONCLUSION

Assessing calf exercise fidelity via videos recorded on Zoom® appears to demonstrate weak or greater agreement versus live rating and over time. Inter-rater agreement was lower, suggesting that the criteria developed may be better suited to use by individual raters over time.Implications for rehabilitationTelehealth assessment (when compared with live, in person assessment) shows a moderate or greater agreement for the majority of assessment criteria when assessing calf exercise fidelity.The calf exercise fidelity criteria developed can be used as an adjunct to assessment and management of people with Achilles Tendinopathy.Intra-rater assessment was shown to be moderately or more consistent over a four-week period when assessing calf exercise fidelity.

Patterns of movement-evoked pain during tendon loading and stretching tasks in Achilles tendinopathy: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to characterize movement-evoked pain during tendon loading and stretching tasks in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy, and to examine the association between movement-evoked pain with the Achilles tendinopathy type (insertional and midportion), biomechanical, and psychological variables.

METHODS

In this laboratory-based, cross-sectional study, 37 individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy participated. Movement-evoked pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale: 0 to 10) and sagittal-plane ankle biomechanics were collected simultaneously during standing, fast walking, single-leg heel raises, and weight-bearing calf stretch. Description of symptoms, including location of Achilles tendon pain and duration of tendon morning stiffness, as well as pain-related psychological measures, including the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were collected. Linear mixed effects models were built around two paradigms of movement-evoked pain (tendon loading and stretching tasks) with each model anchored with pain at rest.

FINDINGS

Movement-evoked pain intensity increased as task demand increased in both models. Lower peak dorsiflexion with walking (β = -0.187, 95% CI: -0.305, -0.069), higher fear of movement (β = 0.082, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.145), and longer duration of tendon morning stiffness (β = 0.183, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.296) were associated with greater pain across tendon loading tasks (R2 = 0.47). Lower peak dorsiflexion with walking (β = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.41, -0.14), higher dorsiflexion with the calf stretch (β = 0.095, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16), and insertional Achilles tendinopathy (β = -0.93, 95% CI: -1.65, -0.21) were associated with higher pain across tendon stretching tasks (R2 = 0.53).

INTERPRETATION

In addition to exercise, the ideal management of Achilles tendinopathy may require adjunct treatments to address the multifactorial aspects of movement-evoked pain.

Identifying characteristics of resistance-based therapeutic exercise interventions for Achilles tendinopathy: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review describes resistance-based therapeutic exercise intervention characteristics for Achilles tendinopathy (AT) treatment (e.g., therapeutic dose, underlying mechanisms targeted by exercise) and assesses participant reporting characteristics.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched; studies delivering a resistance exercise-focused treatment for individuals with AT were included. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and the ICON 2019 'Recommended standards for reporting participant characteristics in tendinopathy research' checklists framed data extraction, and study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool 2018 version.

RESULTS

68 publications (describing 59 studies and 72 exercise programs) were included. Results demonstrate that therapeutic exercise interventions for AT are well reported according to the TIDieR checklist, and participant characteristics are well reported according to the ICON checklist. Various underlying therapeutic mechanisms were proposed, with the most common being increasing tendon strength, increasing calf muscle strength, and enhancing collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

While evidence suggests that resistance-based therapeutic exercise interventions are effective in treating AT, more reporting on program fidelity, adherence, and compliance is needed. By summarizing currently published AT exercise programs and reporting key intervention characteristics in a single location, this review can assist clinicians in developing individualized resistance training programs for people with AT.

Monitoring physical activity using wearable technology in people with Achilles tendinopathy undergoing physiotherapy treatment: A feasibility prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity modification is an important part of the management of Achilles tendinopathy. However, to our knowledge, there is a lack of evidence on objective physical activity assessment in Achilles tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to (1) assess feasibility of using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to monitor physical activity and IMU-derived biomechanical measures over 12-week treatment course by a physiotherapist; (2) conduct a preliminary analysis of changes in physical activity over 12-weeks.

DESIGN

A feasibility prospective cohort study SETTING: A community setting.

PARTICIPANTS

People with Achilles tendinopathy who had recently commenced (≤2 sessions), or were about to commence, treatment with a physiotherapist MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants wore a shank-mounted IMU on the affected side for one week at baseline, 6-, and 12-week follow-ups. The outcomes were pain/symptom severity, IMU-derived physical activity and biomechanical measures (stride rate, peak shank angular velocity, and peak shank acceleration).

RESULTS

Thirty participants were recruited. There was a high retention rate (97%), response rate (97%), and IMU wear compliance at each timepoint (>93%). For pain/symptom severity, a significant time effect was observed between baseline and 12-week follow-up. Physical activity and IMU-derived biomechanical measures did not change over 12 weeks. Physical activity decreased at the 6-week follow-up but only returned to the baseline level at 12-week follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

A larger-scale cohort study assessing clinical outcomes and physical activity appears feasible. Preliminary data indicate that physical activity may not change significantly over 12-weeks in people undergoing physiotherapy management for Achilles tendinopathy. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Pain neuroscience education in persistent painful tendinopathies: A scoping review from the Tendon PNE Network

OBJECTIVE

to conduct and report a scoping review of the available evidence of the effects and content of pain neuroscience education for patients with persistent painful tendinopathies.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and grey literature databases were searched from database inception to May 2022. Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, non-controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, case series, case studies including people with persistent painful tendinopathy aged ≥18 years, a pain education intervention, and in English were included. Studies were excluded if they were cross-sectional studies, reviews, editorials, abstracts, or full-text not available or if included heterogeneous study cohorts, patients with tendon rupture, or patients with systemic diseases.

RESULTS

five studies (n = 164) were included. Pain neuroscience education entailed face-to-face discussion sessions or educational materials including videos, brochures, paper drawings, and review questions. All studies used pain neuroscience education in conjunction with other interventions, obtaining significant benefits in outcomes related to pain, physical performance, or self-reported function, among others.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of pain neuroscience education in conjunction with other interventions seemed to improve several outcomes. However, considering the current knowledge about tendon pain and the scarcity of well-designed trials studying pain neuroscience education in tendinopathy, additional research is needed.

Effects of exercise treatment on functional outcome parameters in mid-portion achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

Exercise interventions are evident in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of different exercise treatments on improving a specific function (e.g., strength) in this population. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review the effect of exercise treatments on different functional outcomes in mid-portion AT. An electronic database of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to 21 February 2023. Studies that investigated changes in plantar flexor function with exercise treatments were considered in mid-portion AT. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were included. Functional outcomes were classified by kinetic (e.g., strength), kinematic [e.g., ankle range of motion (ROM)], and sensorimotor (e.g., balance index) parameters. The types of exercise treatments were classified into eccentric, concentric, and combined (eccentric plus concentric) training modes. Quality assessment was appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for RCTs, and the Joanna Briggs Institute scale for CCTs. The search yielded 2,260 records, and a total of ten studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, a qualitative synthesis was performed. Eccentric training led to improvements in power outcomes (e.g., height of countermovement jump), and in strength outcomes (e.g., peak torque). Concentric training regimens showed moderate enhanced power outcomes. Moreover, one high-quality study showed an improvement in the balance index by eccentric training, whereas the application of concentric training did not. Combined training modalities did not lead to improvements in strength and power outcomes. Plantarflexion and dorsiflexion ROM measures did not show relevant changes by the exercise treatments. In conclusion, eccentric training is evident in improving strength outcomes in AT patients. Moreover, it shows moderate evidence improvements in power and the sensorimotor parameter "balance index". Concentric training presents moderate evidence in the power outcomes and can therefore be considered as an alternative to improve this function. Kinematic analysis of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion ROM might not be useful in AT people. This study expands the knowledge what types of exercise regimes should be considered to improve the functional outcomes in AT.

The relationship between psychological, cognitive, and contextual factors and rehabilitation outcomes in Achilles tendinopathy: A prospective feasibility cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of conducting a full-scale study investigating the influence of patient-related factors on rehabilitation outcomes in Achilles tendinopathy (AT). A secondary aim was to investigate preliminary relationships between patient-related factors and clinical outcomes at 12- and 26- weeks.

DESIGN

feasibility cohort.

SETTING

Australian healthcare settings.

METHODS

Participants with AT receiving physiotherapy in Australia were recruited via treating physiotherapists and online. Data were collected online at baseline, 12- and 26-weeks. Progression criteria for a full-scale study were recruitment rate of ≥10 per month, conversion rate ≥20%, and response rate to questionnaires ≥80%. The relationship between patient-related factors and clinical outcomes was investigated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The average recruitment rate was 5/month, conversion rate was 97%, and response rate to questionnaires was ≥97% at all timepoints. There was a fair to moderate correlation (rho = 0.225 to 0.683) between patient-related factors and clinical outcomes at the 12-week, but no to weak correlation at the 26-week (rho = 0.002 to 0.284).

CONCLUSIONS

Feasibility outcomes suggest a future full-scale cohort study is feasible with the caveat of utilizing strategies to improve recruitment rate. Preliminary bivariate correlations at 12-weeks warrant further investigations in larger studies.

Can we really say getting stronger makes your tendon feel better? No current evidence of a relationship between change in Achilles tendinopathy pain or disability and changes in triceps Surae structure or function when completing rehabilitation: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Determine if improvements in pain and disability in patients with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy relate to changes in muscle structure and function whilst completing exercise rehabilitation.

DESIGN

A systematic review exploring the relationship between changes in pain/disability and muscle structure/function over time, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

METHODS

Six online databases and the grey literature were searched from database inception to 16th December 2022 whereas clinical trial registries were searched from database inception to 11th February 2020. We included clinical studies where participants received exercise rehabilitation (±placebo interventions) for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy if pain/disability and Triceps Surae structure/function were measured. We calculated Cohen's d (95 % confidence intervals) for changes in muscle structure/function over time for individual studies. Data were not pooled due to heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included for synthesis. No studies reported the relationship between muscle structure/function and pain/disability changes. Twelve studies reported muscle structure/function outcome measures at baseline and at least one follow-up time-point. Three studies reported improvements in force output after treatment; eight studies demonstrated no change in structure or function; one study did not provide a variation measure, precluding within group change over time calculation. All studies were low quality.

CONCLUSIONS

No studies explored the relationship between changes in tendon pain and disability and changes in muscle structure and function. It is unclear whether current exercise-based rehabilitation protocols for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy improve muscle structure or function.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020149970).

Plantarflexor neuromuscular performance in Insertional Achilles tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common and painful musculoskeletal condition. The management of IAT commonly involves strengthening of the plantarflexors, although there is currently a paucity of research investigating plantarflexor neuromuscular performance specific to people with IAT.

OBJECTIVES

To compare plantarflexor neuromuscular performance between men with IAT and controls, and to investigate the relationship between plantarflexor neuromuscular performance and patient reported outcome measures for men with IAT.

DESIGN

Case control.

METHOD

34 men with IAT (age 43.7 years [SD 10.02], weight 89.6 kg [16.3]) were matched with 34 healthy men (age 42.8 years [SD 8.9], weight 87.2 kg [9.7]). Participants underwent a plantarflexion maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) task, and a target force matching task. Neuromuscular variables from these tasks include; MVIC, rate of torque development (RTD), electromechanical delay (EMD), and muscle force steadiness. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding; pain and function, and psychological factors.

RESULTS

The IAT group had reduced MVIC (p < 0.01) and RTD, (p < 0.01) compared to controls, however no significant difference in plantarflexor force steadiness (p = 0.08), or EMD (p = 0.71) was observed. Low strength correlations were detected between the VISA-A and RTD (r = 0.37, p = 0.04), kinesiophobia and EMD (r = 0.45, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This study established impairments in plantarflexor strength and RTD among people with IAT. Plantarflexor force steadiness and EMD is not altered in IAT, which is in contrast to evidence from mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. Plantarflexor RTD was the only neuromuscular outcome measure linked to symptom severity, which may indicate it is an important rehabilitation finding.

The effect of combined Action Observation Therapy with eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion Achilles-tendinopathy: a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mid-portion Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) is a common musculoskeletal condition with varying rehabilitation success rates. Despite the prevalence of this condition, a considerable proportion of individuals experience persisting pain and functional deficits. Current treatment approaches bias the biomedical model which emphasises physically treating and loading the tendon. Overall, there is a lack of consideration for the central nervous system that is commonly implicated in chronic injuries. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility of combining Action Observation Therapy (AOT), a treatment technique which targets central changes and influences motor learning, with eccentric exercises in the treatment of mid-portion AT. AOT involves the observation of movements and is commonly followed by the physical performance of these same movements.

METHODOLOGY

This was a double-blinded randomised controlled pilot feasibility study. All participants underwent the 12-week Alfredson eccentric training protocol. The intervention group watched videos of the exercises prior to performing these exercises, whilst the control group watched nature videos before performing the same exercises. Study feasibility was the primary outcome measure, with the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment- Achilles (VISA-A) selected as the primary clinical outcome measure.

RESULTS

Thirty participants were recruited, reflecting a 75% eligibility rate and 100% of eligible participants enrolled in the study. The retention rate at week 12 was 80%. At week six the mean VISA-A score improved by 18.1 (95% CI 10.2-26.0) in the intervention group and 7.7 (95% CI 0.3-14.9) in the control group, and 75% and 33% of participants in the intervention and control group respectively exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). At week 12 the mean VISA-A score from baseline improved by 22.25 (95% CI 12.52-31.98) in the intervention group and 16.5-(95% CI 8.47-24.53) in the control group, equating to 75% and 58% in each group respectively exceeding the MCID.

CONCLUSION

The positive feasibility outcomes and exploratory data from the clinical outcome measures suggest that a larger scaled RCT is warranted to further investigate the impact of AOT in the rehabilitation of mid-portion AT. Trial registration ISRCTN58161116, first registered on the 23/12/2020.

Foundational Principles and Adaptation of the Healthy and Pathological Achilles Tendon in Response to Resistance Exercise: A Narrative Review and Clinical Implications

Therapeutic exercise is widely considered a first line fundamental treatment option for managing tendinopathies. As the Achilles tendon is critical for locomotion, chronic Achilles tendinopathy can have a substantial impact on an individual's ability to work and on their participation in physical activity or sport and overall quality of life. The recalcitrant nature of Achilles tendinopathy coupled with substantial variation in clinician-prescribed therapeutic exercises may contribute to suboptimal outcomes. Further, loading the Achilles tendon with sufficiently high loads to elicit positive tendon adaptation (and therefore promote symptom alleviation) is challenging, and few works have explored tissue loading optimization for individuals with tendinopathy. The mechanism of therapeutic benefit that exercise therapy exerts on Achilles tendinopathy is also a subject of ongoing debate. Resultingly, many factors that may contribute to an optimal therapeutic exercise protocol for Achilles tendinopathy are not well described. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the principles of tendon remodeling under resistance-based exercise in both healthy and pathologic tissues, and to review the biomechanical principles of Achilles tendon loading mechanics which may impact an optimized therapeutic exercise prescription for Achilles tendinopathy.

Assessment of the reporting quality of resistance training interventions in randomised controlled trials for lower limb tendinopathy: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

1. To describe what exercises and intervention variables are used in resistance training interventions in randomised controlled trials for lower limb tendinopathy 2. To assess completeness of reporting as assessed by the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) and the Toigo and Boutellier framework. 3. To assess the implementation of scientific resistance training principles. 4. To assess therapeutic quality of exercise interventions with the i-CONTENT tool.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, EMBase, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane library databases.

REVIEW METHODS

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials that reported using resistance exercises for lower limb tendinopathies.

RESULTS

We included 109 RCTs. Eccentric heel drops were the most common exercise (43 studies), followed by isotonic heel raises (21), and single leg eccentric decline squats (18). Reporting of exercise descriptor items from the Toigo and Boutellier framework ranged from 0-13, with an average score of 9/13, and only 7 studies achieved a full 13/13. Reporting of items from the CERT ranged from 0-18, with an average score of 14/19. No study achieved a full 19/19, however 5 achieved 18/19. Scoring for resistance training principles ranged from 1-10, with only 11 studies achieving 10/10. Reporting across studies for the i-CONTENT tool ranged from 2-7, with an average score of 5 across included studies. A total of 19 studies achieved a full 7/7 score. Less than 50% of studies achieved an overall low risk of bias, highlighting the methodological concerns throughout studies.

CONCLUSION

The reporting of exercise descriptors and intervention content was generally high across RCTs for lower limb tendinopathy, with most allowing exercise replication. However, reporting for some tendinopathies and content items such as adherence was poor, limiting optimal translation to clinical practice.

Resistance Training Interventions for Lower Limb Tendinopathies: A Scoping Review of Resistance Training Reporting Content, Quality, and Scientific Implementation

The objectives of this scoping review were as follows: (1) to describe what exercises and intervention variables are used in resistance training interventions for lower limb tendinopathy,  (2) to assess the completeness of reporting as assessed by the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) and the Toigo and Boutellier framework, and (3) to assess the implementation of scientific resistance training principles. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case series, case reports, and observational studies that reported using resistance exercises for lower limb tendinopathies were considered for inclusion, with 194 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Completeness of the reporting of exercise descriptors and programme variables was assessed by the CERT and the Toigo and Boutellier framework. Reporting of exercise descriptor items from the Toigo and Boutellier framework ranged from 0 to 13, with an average score of 9/13, with only 9 studies achieving a full 13/13. Reporting of items from the CERT ranged from 0 to 18, with an average score of 13/19. No study achieved a full 19/19; however, 8 achieved 18/19. Scoring for resistance training principles ranged from 1 to 10, with only 14 studies achieving 10/10. Eccentric heel-drops were the most common exercise (75 studies), followed by isotonic heel raises (38), and single-leg eccentric decline squats (27). The reporting of exercise descriptors and intervention content was high across studies, with most allowing exercise replication, particularly for Achilles and patellar tendinopathy. However, reporting for some tendinopathies and content items such as adherence was poor, limiting optimal translation to clinical practice.

ICON 2020-International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: A Systematic Review of Outcome Measures Reported in Clinical Trials of Achilles Tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Nine core domains for tendinopathy have been identified. For Achilles tendinopathy there is large variation in outcome measures used, and how these fit into the core domains has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To identify all available outcome measures outcome measures used to assess the clinical phenotype of Achilles tendinopathy in prospective studies and to map the outcomes measures into predefined health-related core domains.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy, sample size ≥ ten participants, age ≥ 16 years, and the study design was a randomized or non-randomized clinical trial, observational cohort, single-arm intervention, or case series.

RESULTS

9376 studies were initially screened and 307 studies were finally included, totaling 13,248 participants. There were 233 (177 core domain) different outcome measures identified across all domains. For each core domain outcome measures were identified, with a range between 8 and 35 unique outcome measures utilized for each domain. The proportion of studies that included outcomes for predefined core domains ranged from 4% for the psychological factors domain to 72% for the disability domain.

CONCLUSION

233 unique outcome measures for Achilles tendinopathy were identified. Most frequently, outcome measures were used within the disability domain. Outcome measures assessing psychological factors were scarcely used. The next step in developing a core outcome set for Achilles tendinopathy is to engage patients, clinicians and researchers to reach consensus on key outcomes measures.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42020156763.