In short
Currently, there is one ongoing clinical trial investigating treatments for tendon injury, specifically focusing on acute hamstring injuries. This trial is exploring the potential benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in helping athletes and military personnel recover more quickly from these sudden muscle injuries. The study is being conducted in the Netherlands and aims to determine whether this specialized oxygen treatment can speed up the healing process and allow participants to return to their activities faster than with standard care alone.
Clinical trial locations
- Netherlands
Study on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Acute Hamstring Injury in Athletes and Military Personnel
This clinical trial is examining whether Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help people with acute hamstring injuries heal faster. An acute hamstring injury is a sudden strain or tear in the muscles at the back of the thigh, which commonly occurs during activities involving sprinting, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. The injury typically causes sharp pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising, making it difficult to walk or bend the knee.
Who can participate: The trial is open to individuals between 18 and 65 years old who have recently suffered an acute hamstring injury. To qualify, participants must have a clinical diagnosis of the injury that is no more than 7 days old. This means the injury must have happened suddenly, with pain in the back of the thigh, tenderness when touching the hamstring muscle, pain when lifting the leg straight while lying down, and increased pain when trying to contract the muscle without moving it. Participants must be able to start the oxygen therapy within 7 days of their injury and must sign an informed consent form indicating they understand the study and agree to take part.
Who cannot participate: The trial excludes people who do not have an acute hamstring injury, those who fall outside the specified age range, and individuals who are not athletes or military personnel, as the study specifically focuses on these groups. People who cannot safely undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy or who belong to vulnerable populations requiring special protection are also excluded.
What the trial involves: Participants will receive seven daily sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber, which is believed to help healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. The increased oxygen can help reduce swelling and inflammation while promoting tissue repair. The trial uses two forms of medical-grade oxygen called Conoxia, which are administered through inhalation in both compressed and cryogenic forms.
What researchers are measuring: The main goal of the trial is to determine how quickly participants can return to their normal activities after receiving this treatment compared to those who receive standard care. For athletes, this means returning to play, while for military personnel, it means returning to full unrestricted duty. The study will also collect information on pain levels using a visual scale, both at rest and during activities like sprinting. Researchers will conduct physical examinations to evaluate pain, flexibility, and strength of the hamstring, and will use MRI scans to visualize the injury. Additionally, the trial will track any re-injuries that occur at 2 and 12 months after participants return to their activities, and will monitor for any adverse events during the treatment period.
Summary
Currently, there is only one clinical trial investigating treatments for tendon injury, with a specific focus on acute hamstring injuries in athletes and military personnel. This trial is being conducted in the Netherlands and explores the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a potential way to speed up recovery. The therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment over seven daily sessions. The study aims to provide valuable insights into whether this treatment approach can effectively reduce recovery time and help people return to their activities more quickly than with standard care alone. By monitoring various aspects of recovery including pain levels, physical function, and imaging results, researchers hope to better understand the potential benefits of this specialized oxygen treatment for hamstring injuries.
