Comparing Electrical Dry Needling Plus Exercise, Stretching, and Manual Therapy to Exercise, Stretching, and Manual Therapy Alone for Achilles Tendinopathy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing two treatment approaches for patients with Achilles tendinopathy to see which may be more effective. This study focuses on evaluating whether adding electrical dry needling to a standard routine of eccentric exercise, stretching, and manual therapy improves outcomes. The trial is randomized and conducted by Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture to better understand treatment options for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive electrical dry needling combined with eccentric exercise, stretching, and manual therapy. The other group will receive only the exercise, stretching, and manual therapy without dry needling. Treatments will be given 1 to 2 times per week over a period of 6 weeks, with a maximum of 10 sessions. During the study, participants will complete assessments at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. These include the VISA-A Questionnaire to measure Achilles tendon symptoms and function, pain ratings, and foot and ankle ability scores for daily activities and sports. The Global Rating of Change will also be recorded. This follow-up helps researchers track progress and treatment effects over time.

Electrical DN as an Adjunct to Eccentric Exercise, Stretching + MT for Achilles Tendinopathy