Background

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is common, and can be traumatic or insidious in onset and short-lasting or persistent in nature. Factors influencing the experience of pain are poorly understood; little is known about mechanisms driving pain and the response (or lack of) to rehabilitation. Despite this, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of exercise to manage AT. Interestingly, variation in exercise approach does not appear to significantly impact outcome. Patients’ perceptions of factors related to rehabilitation that may influence outcome could provide a valuable addition to help guide future research and practice.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to gain an insight into patients’ experiences of participating in an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for AT.

Method

A qualitative interpretive description design. Data generated from semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically using the guidelines set out by Braun and Clarke.

Findings

This is the first study to use a qualitative method of inquiry to gain data on the experiences of people undertaking exercise-based rehabilitation for AT. The four major themes that were identified from the data were: (1) ‘understanding the impact’ (2) ‘expectations’ (3) ‘what matters’ and (4) ‘the burden of exercise’.

Conclusions

Given the uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms of effect of our treatments, the insights provide a platform from which researchers and clinicians can consider further in the management of people with Achilles tendinopathy. Specifically, it has highlighted that patients value a flexible, supportive approach embracing the biopsychosocial impact of AT on the individual.

中文翻译：

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患者参与跟腱病运动康复的观点：一项定性研究

背景

跟腱病 (AT) 很常见，起病时可能是创伤性的或隐匿性的，并且本质上是短暂或持续的。影响疼痛体验的因素知之甚少；关于驱动疼痛的机制和对康复的反应（或缺乏反应）知之甚少。尽管如此，越来越多的证据支持使用锻炼来管理 AT。有趣的是，锻炼方法的变化似乎不会显着影响结果。患者对可能影响结果的康复相关因素的看法可以提供有价值的补充，以帮助指导未来的研究和实践。

目标

本研究的目的是深入了解患者参与基于运动的 AT 康复计划的经历。

方法

定性解释性描述设计。使用 Braun 和 Clarke 制定的指导方针对半结构化访谈产生的数据进行专题分析。

发现

这是第一项使用定性调查方法来获取有关为 AT 进行基于运动的康复的人们的经验数据的研究。从数据中确定的四个主要主题是：（1）“理解影响”（2）“期望”（3）“重要的事情”和（4）“锻炼的负担”。

结论

鉴于我们治疗效果机制的不确定性，这些见解提供了一个平台，研究人员和临床医生可以从中进一步考虑管理跟腱病患者。具体而言，它强调了患者重视灵活、支持性的方法，包括 AT 对个人的生物心理社会影响。