Table 3

 Effectiveness of eccentric overload training in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy according to the studies included

AuthorsParticipants (n)MethodInclusion criteriaInterventionOutcome measureDuration of interventionResult in intervention groupResult in control group
C, control group; CT, clinical trial; I, intervention group; FAOS, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score; RCT, randomised clinical trial; VAS, visual analogue scale; ↓, improvement in pain score.
Roos et al (2004)2344RCTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingFAOS12 weeks↓ 37%C1: ↓ 23%
C1: Eccentric training with night splintC2: ↓ 13%
C2: Night splint
Mafi et al (2001)2444RCTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingVAS12 weeks↓ 83%↓ 86%
C: Concentric training
Niesen-Vertommen et al (1992)2517RCTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingOrdinal Scale12 weeks↓ 78%↓ 46%
C: Concentric training
Silbernagel et al (2001)440RCTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingVAS12 weeks↓ 29%↓ 15%
C: Concentric training
Alfredson et al (1998)1830CTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingVAS12 weeks↓ 94%↓ 70%
C: Surgery
Fahlström et al (2003)2678CTChronic Achilles tendinopathy. (A) Mid-portion of the Achilles tendon and (B) insertion of the Achilles tendonI: Eccentric trainingVAS12 weeksA: ↓ 85%
B: ↓ 81%
Shalabi et al (2004)2725CTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingOrdinal Scale12 weeks↓ 40%
Alfredson et al (2003)286CTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingVAS12 weeks↓ 75%
Stanish et al (1986)29200CTChronic Achilles tendinopathyI: Eccentric trainingOrdinal Scale6 weeks↓ 87%