Vibration increases multifidus cross-sectional area versus cryotherapy added to chronic non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy eccentric exercise.

Objective: To assess multifidus muscle thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) and disability in patients with chronic non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (AT) who developed an eccentric exercise (EE) vibration program compared to an EE program with cryotherapy.

Design: Single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.

Participants: A total sample of 61 patients diagnosed with chronic non-insertional AT was recruited and randomly divided into two groups. A group (n = 30) developed the EE program plus vibration and B group (n = 31) received the EE program plus cryotherapy for 12 weeks. Multifidus thickness and CSA were measured at rest and during maximal isometric contraction by ultrasound imaging. The Victorian Institute for Sport Assessment (VISA-A) was used to asses functionality.

Results: Multifidus CSA was statistically significant increased (P < 0.05) for the EE vibration program group with respect to EE plus cryotherapy during maximal isometric contraction and at rest at 12-weeks after intervention in individuals with chronic non-insertional AT. Despite both interventions showed differences for the multifidus thickness and AT disability variables over time, there were not between-groups differences.

Conclusions: Authors encourage the use of vibration with respect to cryotherapy added to EE programs in order to enhance multifidus CSA in addition to lower limb functionality in individuals who suffer from chronic non-insertional AT.