The defense takes place

Monday, December 11th, 2023. Time: 13:00 am
At the department of Clinical Medicine
Place: in room 12.01.004
Selma Lagerløfs Vej 249, Aalborg University

Both visual and audio access will be provided for online attendees, but they
will not be able to submit comments or questions during the defense. If you
wish to receive a link, please contact Jette Kristiansen on jetkr@rn.dk

After the defense there will be held a reception. All are welcome.

 

Supervisors

Professor Michael Skovdal Rathleff, PhD., dr.med,
Aalborg University, Denmark

MD Inge Lunding Kjær, Department of Orthopedic Surgery,
Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark

Professor Karin Grävare Silbernagel, PT, ATC, PhD,
University of Delaware, DE, USA

Assessment Committee

Clinical Professor Søren Kold, MD, PhD (chair)
Aalborg University, Denmark

Associate Professor Karen McCreesh, PT PhD
Limerick University, Ireland

Professor Michael Rindom Krogsgaard, MD PhD
Bispebjerg Hospital and University of Copenhagen, Denmark

 

About the PhD thesis

Muscle strength deficits contribute to impaired functional outcomes after Achilles tendon rupture. To prevent unsatisfactory outcomes, functional rehabilitation is applied in the early phase of treatment to facilitate tendon healing and improve functional outcomes. The contents of rehabilitation vary, and very little research has been conducted on early resistance strength exercises. Often the exercise programs lack information on type, dosage, and delivery, which hampers the implementation of research results in clinical practice.

This PhD study aimed to investigate the literature for use of early resistance exercises for Achilles tendon rupture and to develop and test the effect of a new early progressive resistance exercise program.

Study 1. A scoping review of previous literature on the use of early resistance exercises. The most common exercises were isometric, heel rises, or external resistance exercises. The description of the exercise descriptors was often lacking. Study 2. Feasibility of the new program for Achilles tendon rupture treated non-surgically. The patients found the exercises to be highly acceptable, and adherence to the home program was high.

Study 3. A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of the new program as an add-on to standard care. After 13 weeks there was no statistically significant higher patient-reported outcome in the Achilles tendon total rupture score ATRS for the add-on treatment compared to standard care alone. Strength measures were higher at 9 and 13 weeks. The overall rerupture rate was 2.5%, with one re-rupture in each group.

This PhD study showed that resistance exercises used in early functional rehabilitation after Achilles tendon rupture is lacking clear description of the content. In clinical studies we showed that the new progressive resistance exercise program was feasible, but it was not superior to standard care in the patient reported outcome ATRS at 13 weeks. The studies contribute with information on early progressive resistance exercises and provides specific exercise descriptors that are relevant to clinical practice and future research.

 

Contact information

You can contact Marianne Christensen if you have any questions about the defense by clicking here on her e-mail.

Marianne Christensen
E-mail: mc@rn.dk
Aalborg Universityhospital
Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy
9000 Aalborg