Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial and
the preliminary effectiveness of ice therapy in the acute phase of a gastrocnemius tear for the quality of functional recovery. DESIGN: A pilot
version of an intended prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was
conducted. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 patients with an acute tear in the
gastrocnemius muscle were randomly allocated to either active or control
treatment. The intervention consisted of the repeated application of crushed ice. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were functional capacity
and reconvalescence time. Secondary outcome measures were pain and work
absenteeism. The number of patients we could include within the 6-hour time
window and dropping out from the pilot study were regarded as indicators of the
feasibility of ice therapy. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were excluded from
the study because diagnosis was not made within 6 hours after onset of the
complaint. The 19 patients included completed the treatment. For functional
capacity, reconvalescence time, work absenteeism and pain relief, no significant
differences between the intervention and control group were found. CONCLUSIONS:
The execution of a randomized controlled trial on ice therapy for acute
gastrocnemius tear is feasible though quite an enterprise.
First, it is
recommended to improve the recruitment processes. Second, power analysis demands
inclusion of 396 participants. Preliminary effectiveness in our limited-sized
trial indicates that the use of ice is not beneficial for people who receive ice therapy

Langue : ANGLAIS