Astym for achilles tendinopathy

NewsBot · Jul 18, 2013

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This clinical trial was just registered:
Astym® Compared Eccentric Exercise for Chronic Mid-substance Achilles Tendinopathy

The purpose of this study is to compare the changes in pain and self-perceived function between two different treatments for Achilles tendinopathy: the Astym® protocol (a form of soft tissue mobilization using instruments) and a specific exercise protocol that involves strengthening the calf and Achilles tendon. Astym® (A-stim) is not an acronym, but rather stands for "A Stimulation" of the body's healing response, describing the physiologic process which occurs with Astym treatment. Astym is the trademark name of a non-invasive treatment where instruments are applied topically to locate unhealthy soft tissue, and to transfer mild to moderate pressure to the underlying soft tissue structures. The aim of Astym treatment is to eliminate scar tissue and stimulate tissue regeneration. Both the principal investigator and co-investigator have been trained and certified in administering the Astym treatment. The specific exercise protocol will involve exercises that strengthen the Achilles and calf through eccentric exercise. Eccentric exercise is a form of exercise where the benefit comes from applying a controlled lengthening stress to the muscle and tendon.
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Link to the Astym® website

UKA Pod · Jul 22, 2013

Re: Astym® for achilles tendinopathy

Looks interesting,

Can you get trained on this procedure in the UK?

NewsBot · Nov 20, 2013

Re: Astym® for achilles tendinopathy

Another clinical trial registered:
Eccentric Exercise Versus Eccentric Exercise and Astym for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

The purpose of this research study is to determine if Astym® (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization) is an effective treatment for patients with Achilles pain. The usual treatment for this condition is a specific exercise program that has been previously shown to be effective. The research team is trying to determine if combining Astym with the exercise program is more effective than exercise program only.

The main hypothesis for this study is that Astym plus eccentric exercise will be more effective than eccentric exercise alone at improving pain and function in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy
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NewsBot · Nov 3, 2015

The effect of Astym? Therapy on muscle strength: a blinded, randomized, clinically controlled trial
Benjamin R. Kivlan , Christopher R. Carcia, F. Richard Clemente, Amy L. Phelps, RobRoy L. Martin
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders; 29 October 2015

Background
Astym? therapy is a manual therapy intervention used to stimulate tissue healing, decrease pain, improve mobility, and improve muscle performance associated with musculoskeletal pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine if Astym therapy administered to the lower extremity would result in an immediate change of maximal force output during a unilateral isometric squat test among individuals with a lower extremity injury.
Methods
Forty-five subjects (14 males; 31females) between 18 and 65 years of age were randomized into 3 treatment groups: 1) Control group – received no treatment 2) Placebo group – received a sham Astym treatment 3) Astym therapy group– received Astym therapy to the lower extremity. A baseline measure of maximal force output (pre-test) during a unilateral isometric squat was performed. The subjects then received the designated treatment intervention. Immediately following the treatment intervention, maximal force output (post-test) was retested using identical testing procedures by an investigator who was blinded to the treatment intervention received by the subjects. The percent change of maximal force output from pre-test to post-test measures was compared using a one-way analysis of variance. A Tukey’s post-hoc analysis determined the statistical differences between the groups.
Results
The treatment intervention had a significant effect on the percent change of maximal force output [F(2,42) = 7.91, p = 0.001]. Tukey’s post hoc analysis demonstrated that the percent change of maximal force output was significantly greater in the Astym group (15 ? 18 % change of Newtons) compared to the placebo (−6 ? 11 % change of Newtons; p = 0.0001) and control (−1 ? 17 % change of Newtons; p = 0.0014) groups. No significant difference (p = 0.68) was noted between the control and placebo groups.
Conclusions
Astym therapy to the involved lower extremity increased maximum force output during an isometric squat test immediately following treatment. The results of this study suggest that Astym therapy can immediately improve muscle performance (maximal force output) for patients presenting with muscular weakness caused by a lower extremity musculoskeletal injury.
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NewsBot · Feb 19, 2016

Eccentric Exercise Versus Eccentric Exercise and Soft Tissue Treatment (Astym) in the Management of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
A Randomized Controlled Trial
Joshua R. McCormack et al
Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach February 18, 2016

Background: Eccentric exercise is commonly used in the management of Achilles tendinopathy (AT) but its effectiveness for insertional AT has been questioned. Soft tissue treatment (Astym) combined with eccentric exercise could result in better outcomes than eccentric exercise alone.
Hypothesis: Soft tissue treatment (Astym) plus eccentric exercise will be more effective than eccentric exercise alone for subjects with insertional AT.
Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.
Level of Evidence: Level 2.
Methods: Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned to either a soft tissue treatment (Astym) and eccentric exercise group or an eccentric exercise–only group. Intervention was completed over a 12-week period, with outcomes assessed at baseline, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. Outcomes included the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Achilles-Specific Questionnaire (VISA-A), the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and the global rating of change (GROC).
Results: Significantly greater improvements on the VISA-A were noted in the soft tissue treatment (Astym) group over the 12-week intervention period, and these differences were maintained at the 26- and 52-week follow-ups. Both groups experienced a similar statistically significant improvement in pain over the short and long term. A significantly greater number of subjects in the soft tissue treatment (Astym) group achieved a successful outcome at 12 weeks.
Conclusion: Soft tissue treatment (Astym) plus eccentric exercise was more effective than eccentric exercise only at improving function during both short- and long-term follow-up periods.
Clinical Relevance: Soft tissue treatment (Astym) plus eccentric exercise appears to be a beneficial treatment program that clinicians should consider incorporating into the management of their patients with insertional AT.
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