Shockwave therapy may boost recovery from achilles pain, small study suggests

NCT ID NCT05702918

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding low-energy shockwave therapy to a 12-week exercise program helps people with Achilles tendinopathy more than exercise alone. Forty-seven adults with pain and swelling in one Achilles tendon were randomly assigned to either exercise plus shockwave or exercise only. Researchers used ultrasound images and a pain-and-function questionnaire to track changes over 26 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a 12-week resistance training exercise protocol

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a standard non-surgical treatment plan that improves pain and function in people with Achilles tendinopathy.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study with only 47 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the treatments may not work better than exercise alone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

disease of the tendon

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University Hospital Motol and 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University

    Prague, Czechia