Open AccessA systematic review and meta‐analysis of conservative management of Achilles tendinopathy
Author(s) -
Leitch Samuel P,
Bialocerkowski Andrea E,
Warden Stuart J,
Collins Natalie J,
Chien Andy W,
Crossley Kay M
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of foot and ankle research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.763
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 1757-1146
DOI - 10.1186/1757-1146-4-s1-p32
Subject(s) - medicine , tendinopathy , physical therapy , eccentric training , low level laser therapy , meta analysis , conservative management , rehabilitation , laser therapy , eccentric , extracorporeal shockwave therapy , extracorporeal shock wave therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , laser , tendon , physics , quantum mechanics , optics
Results The search strategy yielded 22 studies whose methodological quality rated between 2 and 12 out of 14 on a Modified PEDro rating scale. Studies were grouped by their primary intervention (eccentric exercise, shock wave therapy, ultrasound, night splints and other conservative management options). Follow up times were predominantly within three months. A meta-analysis was able to be performed for two intervention comparisons; shock wave therapy (SWT) versus eccentric exercise (EE) and laser therapy versus a sham laser therapy, where both groups received an EE program. The pooled data found a moderate significant effect favouring SWT and small significant effect favouring laser therapy. Of the eleven studies evaluating EE, six reported that EE had superior results to the control intervention.