NCT01298024

A Pilot Study on Exercise After Achilles Tendon Rupture

NEMEX-ATR: A Randomized Pilot Study on Early Neuromuscular Exercise in Non-surgically Treated Achilles Tendon Rupture

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Region Skane · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose is to study the effect of early NEuroMuscular EXercise (NEMEX) versus conventional treatment (late exercise) in patients with acute non-operative achilles tendon rupture (ATR).

Detailed description

There is currently no consensus on treatment for achilles tendon rupture with regard to surgical or non-surgical treatment. In addition, the optimal time to start exercise treatment after the injury, with or without surgery, is not well understood. Animal studies show positive effects of early mobilization in tendon healing. Neuromuscular exercise has shown better effects than strength exercise in people with knee injury or knee disease. There are few studies in humans focusing on exercise as treatment, without surgical intervention, after ATR.

Conditions

• Achilles Tendon Rupture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Early Neuromuscular Exercise	30 patients are randomized to early neuromuscular exercise (n=15) or treatment as usual, i.e., late exercise (n=15). Both groups are given an orthosis and are instructed to wear this for eight weeks. The experimental group starts with a structured exercise program one week after the diagnosis. The patients attend one training session/week during eight weeks, guided by a physical therapist. The level of training is progressed during this time. The patients in the control group (treatment as usual) are given exercise instructions and information at one occasion; 2 weeks after diagnosis. Both groups are followed up, by a blinded assessor, with valid and reliable self-reported and physical function outcomes at 1, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after injury.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-03-01
• Primary completion: 2013-04-01
• Completion: 2013-04-01
• First posted: 2011-02-17
• Last updated: 2022-12-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden