Efficacy of Heel Lifts for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Author Information
Author(s): Jaryd Bourke, Shannon Munteanu, Alessandro Garofolini, Simon Taylor, Peter Malliaras
Primary Institution: Monash University
Hypothesis
This trial aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting a parallel group randomised trial to evaluate the efficacy of heel lifts compared to a sham intervention for reducing pain intensity associated with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
Conclusion
In its current form, a randomised trial of heel lifts compared to a sham intervention is feasible.
Supporting Evidence
- All thresholds for feasibility besides adverse events were met.
- Participants in both groups considered their interventions to be credible.
- The global rating of change scale showed a 31% difference in favor of the heel lifts.
- Pain at its worst decreased by an average of 3.2 points in the heel lift group.
Takeaway
This study tested if using heel lifts can help people with a painful Achilles tendon. It found that doing a bigger study on this is possible.
Methodology
Twenty-six people with insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomised to either the heel lift group or sham intervention group, with outcomes measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
Potential Biases
Participants in the sham group were more likely to use additional treatments, which could bias results.
Limitations
The study was not adequately powered to evaluate efficacy and had a high rate of reported adverse events, though none were serious.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 28-65 years, with a mean age of 51 years; 17 men and 9 women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.046
Confidence Interval
−3.0 to 0.1
Statistical Significance
p=0.046
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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