None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this trial is to determine whether there are immediate and short term changes in T/C ratio, calf and Achilles tendon blood flow following a thoracic spinal manipulation in people with Achilles tendinopathy. The hypothesis is that there will be changes in primary outcome measures of interest (T/C ratio and blood flow) which will be significantly different in the SM group compared to sham group. Findings from this trial will inform future larger RCTs planned in this area. .
Interventions
The intervention is a thoracic spinal manipulation (SM) to the mid thoracic spine (T3-T6). Briefly, the procedure involves the application of high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust which will take approximately 2-3 minutes (from positioning to delivery of thrust).
Depending on group allocation, participants will receive a SM during one of their two visits. The two visits are separated by a duration of one week.
The experiment will take place in an environmental chamber where temperature (2
The intervention is a thoracic spinal manipulation (SM) to the mid thoracic spine (T3-T6). Briefly, the procedure involves the application of high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust which will take approximately 2-3 minutes (from positioning to delivery of thrust). Depending on group allocation, participants will receive a SM during one of their two visits. The two visits are separated by a duration of one week. The experiment will take place in an environmental chamber where temperature (24 degrees Celsius) and humidity (40%) will be kept constant. The intervention will be performed by a manual therapist with more than 5 years of experience. The whole procedure in the environmental chamber ranging from pre-intervention data collection to post-intervention (5 and 30 minutes) data collection will take approximately 45 minutes. Participants will then collect salivary samples at home 6 hours post-intervention.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged 18 to 60; with a diagnosis of Achilles Tendinopathy based upon accepted diagnostic criteria by a physiotherapist or physician.
Exclusion criteria
Any contra-indications to SM such as rheumatoid arthritis; co-morbid musculoskeletal or serious conditions which may confound treatment or anticipated recovery such as cancer; any bone weakness or thoracic spine conditions such as osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis; steroid injections or surgery for the condition; The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) score greater than 80.
Outcome results
None listed