Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Achilles Tendon in Pregnant Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There is anatomical fascial continuity and functional connection between the plantar fascia, which has important roles in foot biomechanics, and the fibers of the Achilles tendon, and the change that will occur in any of these tissues is reflected in the other. However, it has not been objectively clarified how the tissue properties of the Achilles tendon, which plays an important role in foot biomechanics, such as the plantar fascia, change with pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the trimester-specific biomechanical (stiffness, decrement and tone) and viscoelastic (creep and relaxation time) properties of the Achilles tendon, which adapts to changes in the foot structure during pregnancy.

Official Title
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Investigation of Trimester-Specific Normative Values of Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Achilles Tendon in Pregnant Women

Conditions
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Pregnant Women

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of Achilles tendon


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: First pregnancy Being in the first trimester of pregnancy They are between the ages of 18-40 Pre-pregnancy Body-Mass-Index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Presence of any connective tissue disease that would affect the biomechanical or viscoelastic properties of the fascia Deterioration of skin integrity in measurement areas Presence of orthopedic, neurological, rheumatic problems that may cause musculoskeletal disorders and deviations from normal in biomechanical alignment History of surgery or fracture in the lower extremity and foot-ankle region in the last 6 months Defining metabolic disorders such as type I, II diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia

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

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Group: Pregnant women (first pregnancy)<br>This group will consist of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women will be evaluated 3 times in total, each measurement being in a different trimester. | Other: Evaluation of biomechanics and viscoelastic properties of Achilles tendon<br>* The biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the Achilles tendon will be measured in the side lying position. Measurements will be taken from three different points with the ankle in the neutral position.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of achilles tendon | Measuring of the stiffness (N/m) of the achilles tendon (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | Measurement the change from baseline stiffness values of Achilles tendon at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week. | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of achilles tendon | Measuring of the decrement of the achilles tendon (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | Measurement the change from baseline decrement values of Achilles tendon at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week. | 
| Evaluation of biomechanical properties of achilles tendon | Measuring of the tone (Hz) of the achilles tendon (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | Measurement the change from baseline tone values of Achilles tendon at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week. | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of achilles tendon | Measuring of the creep of the achilles tendon (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | Measurement the change from baseline creep values of Achilles tendon at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week. | 
| Evaluation of viscoelastic properties of achilles tendon | Measuring of the relaxation time (ms) of the achilles tendon (with MyotonPro, Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia) in the side lying position. | Measurement the change from baseline relaxation time values of Achilles tendon at 12. week, at 22. week and at 34. week. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation of Body Weight | Measuring of the Body Weight | Measurement the change from baseline body weight (kg) at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of Body Mass Index (BMI) | BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated as person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. | Measurement the change from baseline BMI values at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot mobility | Navicular drop values will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline navicular drop values at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot morphological properties | Foot length will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot length at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot morphological properties | Foot width will be measured | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot width at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 
| Evaluation of foot posture | Foot posture will be evaluated according to foot posture index | The measurement of the changes from baseline foot posture at 12., 22. and 34. weeks. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pregnant women, achilles tendon, stiffness, creep