Exercise, radial pressure waves, and photobiomodulation for management of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy in runners: a three-arm non-blinded randomised control trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common running injury. Exercise loading programme (EXER) is the primary treatment. Other options include radial pressure wave (RPW, commonly referred to as shockwave) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). We hypothesised that EXER+RPW and EXER+RPW+PBMT would result in greater reduction in symptoms measured using the eight-item Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) and greater improvement in functional outcomes compared with EXER. A secondary aim was to explore outcomes using elective treatment for three additional months.

Methods

Runners with AT and symptoms exceeding 3 months were randomised to EXER, EXER+RPW or EXER+RPW+ PBMT. RPW was delivered once weekly for three treatments. Those assigned

SUBMITTER: Tenforde AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12506102 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature