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Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Lateral Epicondylitis

Phase 3
Conditions
Tennis Elbow
Interventions
Other: Protocolized Physiotherapy
Other: Actual Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
Other: Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
Registration Number
NCT02343809
Lead Sponsor
Fundacio d'Investigacio en Atencio Primaria Jordi Gol i Gurina
Brief Summary

Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) is a manual method of treatment, usually adjuvant, addressed to the mechanical pain of the locomotor system. In our clinical practice a favorable effect is observed in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis, but there are no published studies evaluating the results of this technique.

The objective of this trial is to evaluate if DF provides a further improvement in pain intensity, pain-pressure threshold, function and pain-free grip strength, in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis being treated with physiotherapy. For this purpose, we conduct a randomized controlled trial, double-blind (patient and evaluator) in a Public Primary Care Center.

Sixty subjects will be randomized (computer application) into three groups: Intervention Group, Placebo Group and Control Group. All the three groups receive the same protocolized treatment of physiotherapy and additionally. Additionally, the Intervention Group receives six sessions (two sessions in a week during three weeks) of real DF and the Placebo Group receives six sessions (two sessions in a week during three weeks) of sham DF. The Control Group receives the protocolized treatment of physiotherapy only.

Pain intensity (VAS), pain-pressure threshold (pressure algometry), function (DASH questionnaire) and pain-free grip strength (digital dynamometer) will be measured at baseline, after treatment period, and three months after discharge from treatment. After discharge for treatment the patient subjective opinion about their evolution will be collected through the Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 years old and over
  • Diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylalgia
  • Sign the informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria
  • Concomitant conditions affecting the same upper extremity
  • Contraindications for Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
  • Corticosteroid injections or similar agents in the three months prior to study inclusion
  • Pending litigation or legal claim
  • Poor language and communication skills making difficult to understand the informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GroupProtocolized PhysiotherapyProtocolized Physiotherapy
Placebo GroupProtocolized PhysiotherapySham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy
Intervention GroupProtocolized PhysiotherapyActual Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy
Intervention GroupActual Diacutaneous FibrolysisActual Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy
Placebo GroupSham Diacutaneous FibrolysisSham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain intensitypre-intervention, post-intervention (two sessions in a week during three weeks), after three months

Pain intensity (VAS)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain free grip strengthpre-intervention, post-intervention (two sessions in a week during three weeks), after three months

digital dynamometer

Functional statuspre-intervention, post-intervention (two sessions in a week during three weeks), after three months

DASH questionnaire

Pressure Pain Thresholdpre-intervention, post-intervention (two sessions in a week during three weeks), after three months

pressure algometry

Global Rating of Change scalepost-intervention, after three months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Catalan Institut of Health - Sant Ildefons Rehabilitation Center

🇪🇸

Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

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