Shock therapy for ankles? electrical stimulation tested for tendon recovery
NCT ID NCT04727047
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether using mild electrical pulses (NMES) during rehab could help people regain strength and tendon health after an Achilles tendon rupture. Only 8 people who had surgery for a torn Achilles tendon took part. The study was stopped early, so results are limited.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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8 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Achilles tendon rupture Exclusion Criteria: 1. Those unable to understand spoken English. 2. Participants treated non-operatively 3. Augmented surgical repair (i.e., use of additional tissue at the repair site) 4. Tendon ruptures associated with the use of fluoroquinolones (Examples include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin)) 5. Allergy to ultrasound gel 6. Any other condition affecting the ability of the participant to walk or jump 7. Any other health conditions known to impair normal healing: Diabetes, Cardiovascular conditions decreasing blood supply to the leg 8. Those unable to consent
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Penn State University
State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a tight cuff help heal a torn achilles faster?
- What really determines recovery after an achilles rupture?
- Can a simple cuff boost achilles rupture healing?
- Achilles rupture recovery under the microscope: new study reveals hidden weaknesses
- New implant shows promise for torn achilles tendon
- Could a collagen wrap boost achilles tendon recovery?