Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41358871›Full record

ArticleClinical rehabilitation2026

Exploring the digital landscape: A scoping review of Achilles tendinopathy education on public websites and in randomised controlled trials.

Peter Malliaras, Adrian Mallows, Sean McAullife, Ruth L Chimenti, Wenbo Chen, Jie Deng, Jinjian Jiang, Shivam Sharma, Morgan Potter, Hayley Smitheman and 8 more

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Peter MalliarasPhysiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5879-4139
Adrian MallowsSchool of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
Sean McAullifeSchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Ruth L ChimentiDepartment of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Wenbo ChenDepartment of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Jie DengDepartment of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Jinjian JiangPhysiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
Shivam SharmaFalls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Morgan PotterDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
Hayley SmithemanDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
Igor SanchoDeusto Physical TherapIker, Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, San Sebastian, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-7434-2861
Sanam Tavakkoli OskoueiPhysiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
Peter NicklenPhysiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.
Jaryd BourkePhysiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-2996-0481
Timothy FleagleDepartment of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.ORCID 0009-0008-5378-9224
Diego RuffinoEscuela de Kinesiología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Karin SilbernagelDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
Robert-Jan de VosDepartment of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

PT/PHD Predoctoral Training Program Diversity SupplementT32HD007490 · NICHD · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · PI DARCY S. REISMAN · 1996 to 2026
$3.7M
NICHD NIH HHS T32 HD007490
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aims of this scoping review were to (i) map education from randomised controlled trials and public websites for Achilles tendinopathy to pre-defined categories and (ii) appraise the quality of education available.Data sourcesSources were extracted via a search of multiple databases and from the first three pages of targeted Google searches in English, Chinese, and Spanish (websites).Review methodsThe frequency of sources that reported on each pre-defined category (n = 15) was reported, and the content within each category was summarised descriptively. Quality and reliability were assessed with the DISCERN tool (1-5 points, higher score means higher quality and trustworthiness). Understandability and actionability of education was assessed using Patient Education Materials Assessment tool (0-100%, higher scores indicate more comprehensible information with clearer messages and more identifiable actions). Alignment with current international guidelines was reported.Results119 randomised controlled trials and 385 websites were included. Education coverage was better in websites compared to trials, particularly related to pathology and management. Conflicting advice was found on websites (e.g. when treatment should be sought). Quality (1.6 ± 0.5) and reliability (2.1 ± 0.7) of education were poor, with low scores for treatment risks and shared decision-making. Understandability was moderate (59%) and actionability was poor (28%). Alignment with clinical guidelines was low, with key information commonly omitted.ConclusionEducational sources found in randomised controlled trials and public websites on Achilles tendinopathy are poorly aligned with clinical guidelines. The information gaps in these sources mean that they are unhelpful to patients and may steer them towards inappropriate decisions. The review highlights the need for the development of accurate, meaningful, and evidence-based educational resources for individuals with Achilles tendinopathy.

Indexed as

Achilles TendonInternetPatient Education as TopicTendinopathyHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicAchilles tendinopathyeducationscoping review

Identifiers

PMID41358871
PMCPMC12778123

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.