Deep Friction Massage: Symptomatic

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Despite DFM being a widely-used technique and the empirical grounding regarding the importance of the pressure applied, there is no study characterizing the pressure applied during DFM, remaining it a discretion of the physiotherapist. Additionally, it is not known how the amount of pressure applied may influence pain mechanisms or function in the symptomatic patellar tendon. Having this, our objective is to characterize the pressure applied during deep friction massage and evaluate the immediate effects of different pressures applied during deep friction massage in the time until analgesia as well as in function, in patellar tendinopathy.

Official Title
-----------------
Deep Friction Massage Effects on Pain and Function in Patellar Tendinopathy

Conditions
-----------------
Tendinopathy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: DFM: Mean pressure
* Other: DFM: Mean pressure - 25%
* Other: DFM: Mean pressure + 25%


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: The participants should have a symptomatic patellar tendon Exclusion Criteria: History of other previous injuries of the lower limbs; Intake of medication that could interfere with pain mechanisms; Presence of any factors or conditions that could interfere with the awareness and sensibility to pain.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: DFM: Mean pressure<br>In this group, deep friction massage will be applied with the mean pressure, previously obtained in a baseline assessment. | Other: DFM: Mean pressure<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, performed with the mean pressure previously obtained in a baseline assessment.<br>|
| Experimental: DFM: Mean pressure - 25%<br>In this group, deep friction massage will be applied will less 25% of the pressure previously obtained in a baseline assessment. | Other: DFM: Mean pressure - 25%<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, performed with the mean pressure previously obtained in a baseline assessment decremented by 25%.<br>|
| Experimental: DFM: Mean pressure +25%<br>In this group, deep friction massage will be applied will an increment of 25% of the pressure previously obtained in a baseline assessment. | Other: DFM: Mean pressure + 25%<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, performed with the mean pressure previously obtained in a baseline assessment incremented by 25%.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control session<br>In this group, the participants will rest for 15 minutes | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time until analgesia | Time until self reported sensation of analgesia, controlled by a chronometer, since the application of deep friction massage. | 10 minutes | 
| Numeric Pain Rating Scale | Self-reported pain intensity. | 20 minutes | 
| Maximal isometric strength of quadriceps | Measure of maximal isometric strength, through a dynamometer. | 20 minutes | 
| Knee flexion range of movement | Measure of knee flexion range of movement, through a goniometer | 20 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
patellar tendon