NCT06986759

Comparative Effects of Laser and Extracorpeal Shock Wave in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy.

Comparative Effects of Laser and Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy.

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 44 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent condition characterized by pain, swelling, and impaired function of the Achilles tendon, commonly affecting athletes and active individuals. The disorder arises from a failed healing response, leading to degenerative changes in the tendon without significant inflammation. It is categorized into insertional (at the calcaneus-Achilles junction) and non-insertional (2-6 cm proximal to the insertion) types. Intrinsic risk factors include biomechanical abnormalities and systemic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, while extrinsic factors involve excessive mechanical load and training errors. Effective management of Achilles tendinopathy is crucial for preventing long-term disability and ensuring the continuation of physical activities.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing the effectiveness of laser therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, range of motion, and function in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The trial will be conducted at Hameed Latif Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, over a duration of nine months. A total of 44 participants, aged 18-40, diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy and meeting specific inclusion criteria, will be randomly allocated into two groups using a lottery method. Group A will receive laser therapy, and Group B will undergo extracorporeal shock wave. Baseline and post-treatment measurements will be taken using the Visual Analogue Scale , Foot and Ankle Outcome Score , and goniometric measurements for range of motion. The data will be analyzed using SPSS software to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment modality. For Group A, laser therapy will be administered using the Laser Therapy Unit, a class 3B laser with an 810-nm, 100-milliwatt infrared probe. The treatment will be applied to six standardized points around the Achilles tendon for 30 seconds each, providing a total dose of 18 joule per session. Group B will receive extracorporeal shock wave with each session involving 1500-3000 pulses at a frequency of 1-4 Hertz. Treatments will be conducted once a week for three weeks, with a one-week break between sessions. Both therapies aim to reduce pain and improve function by enhancing the healing processes of the damaged tendon.

Conditions

• Achilles Tendinopathy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Laser	The therapy system will be used the Thor DD Laser Therapy Unit. This will be a class 3B laser with an 810-nm, 100-mW infrared probe. Laser or placebo laser treatment protocols will be identical and will be delivered with the patients lying prone, with their foot over the end of the treatment plinth and the ankle plantar-grade. The contact method will be used to apply the laser treatment probe to 3 standardized points on both sides of the Achilles' tendon (6 in all: at the site of the lesion, 2cm proximal, and 2cm distal) for 30 seconds, giving a dose of 3J per point and 18J per session for the active probe(23). The treating physiotherapist, without any knowledge of which position on the switch will be the active laser, will select position 1 or 2 on the switch according to group allocation.
OTHER	Extracorporeal shock wave therapy protocol	When treating Achilles tendinopathy, most researchers will be used 3 sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with a one-week break in between. There will also be shorter breaks of 3 to 4 days or longer 2-week breaks. The number of pulses per session will range from 800 to 3000, and the pulse frequency will be between 4 and 50 Hz.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-24
• Primary completion: 2025-09-20
• Completion: 2025-10-20
• First posted: 2025-05-23
• Last updated: 2025-07-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan