EDucation and eXercise for gluteal tendinopathy in an Irish context (EDX-Ireland): findings from the LEAP-Ireland feasibility randomised controlled trial.

H P French; S Almousa; R Mellor; A Grimaldi; K Bennett; F Doyle; G M McCarthy; S M McDonough; J M Ryan; K Lynch; J Sorensen; B Vicenzino

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103607

PubMed · 42372389

EDucation and eXercise for gluteal tendinopathy in an Irish context (EDX-Ireland): findings from the LEAP-Ireland feasibility randomised controlled trial.

H P French·S Almousa·R Mellor·A Grimaldi·K Bennett·F Doyle·G M McCarthy·S M McDonough·J M Ryan·K Lynch·J Sorensen·B Vicenzino

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating effectiveness of 6 sessions of an EDucation and eXercise intervention delivered over 8 weeks (EDX-Ireland) for gluteal tendinopathy, against usual care. EDX-Ireland was modified from a 14-session EDucation and eXercise intervention (EDX), delivered over 8 weeks, previously evaluated in an Australian RCT. DESIGN: Feasibility parallel RCT. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to physiotherapist-led EDX-Ireland or usual care. EDX-Ireland comprised 6 sessions of education, hip abductor strengthening and functional loading over 8 weeks, supported by a home exercise programme. Primary outcomes included success of different recruitment strategies and recruitment/retention rates. Secondary outcomes measured global rating of change and other clinical outcomes. Descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviations and 95% confidence intervals (CI)) are presented. RESULTS: Of 323 individuals who expressed interest in study participation, 119 completed physical examination screening, and 65 met criteria and consented to participate (recruitment rate 55%). Sixty-five people (89% women; mean age 53.1 ± 9.3 years), were randomised to EDX-Ireland (n = 32) or usual care (n = 33). Eighty-three percent (n = 54) were recruited via social media/community, 3% (n = 2) from general practitioners and 14% (n = 9) from orthopaedic/rheumatology. Retention was 92% (95% CI 82-97%, n = 60) at 8-weeks, and 89% (95% CI 79-96%, n = 58) at 3-months. Feasibility thresholds were met. Effect size estimates indicate that 134 participants would be required for a future RCT. CONCLUSION: Pre-defined recruitment and retention thresholds were met, indicating that a RCT evaluating 6 sessions of physiotherapist-delivered education and exercise against usual care for gluteal tendinopathy is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05516563).

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Humans Female Tendinopathy Male Middle Aged Feasibility Studies Buttocks Exercise Therapy Adult Treatment Outcome Ireland Patient Education as Topic Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial

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H P French, S Almousa, R Mellor, A Grimaldi, K Bennett, F Doyle, G M McCarthy, S M McDonough, J M Ryan, K Lynch, J Sorensen, B Vicenzino. 2026-06-26. EDucation and eXercise for gluteal tendinopathy in an Irish context (EDX-Ireland): findings from the LEAP-Ireland feasibility randomised controlled trial.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103607

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial resource Adult subject Exercise Therapy subject Feasibility Studies subject Female subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Male subject Middle Aged subject Patient Education as Topic subject Randomized controlled trials study

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