Efficacy of Dry Needling in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis
- Conditions
- Tennis ElbowDry Needling
- Interventions
- Other: Dry needlingOther: Home exercise program
- Registration Number
- NCT05108493
- Lead Sponsor
- Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital
- Brief Summary
Lateral epicondylitis is painful tendinosis of the main extensor tendon that occurs at the fibro-osseous junction of the outer elbow region. Histopathological samples in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis show that there is angiofibroblastic degeneration and failure in the normal tendon repair process rather than acute inflammation in this region. It has begun to be accepted that the main factor in lateral epicondylitis is not the inflammatory events but the degenerative process. There are many treatment methods that trigger structural healing in tendinopathies.
In this study, the investigators aimed to evaluate the effect of the dry needling method of the lateral epicondyle region.
- Detailed Description
Lateral epicondylitis occurs as a result of micro-tears and progressive degeneration caused by repetitive tension, especially at the attachment of the main extensor tendon to the lateral epicondyle. The treatment modality to be used, which causes an increase in functional cells, can prevent the apoptotic process; Thus, it is suggested that there are methods that can reconstruct tendon structure and function. Inflammation can have a positive effect on the healing process in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Methods such as prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma therapy are among the methods that trigger the inflammation process in the lateral epicondyle region and subsequently contribute to the regeneration process. In all these treatments, there is evidence that the local healing process is triggered by the 'needle effect'.
Dry needle therapy is a method that has been widely used in musculoskeletal diseases for many years, and it is one of the safe and cost-effective applications.
In this study, the investigators planned to evaluate the clinical efficiency of dry needling of lateral epicondyle area those are the origin of the extensor muscle groups of the wrist in addition to the home exercise program and to compare the groups in terms of pain severity, functionality, and improvement in handgrip strength with the participants applied for the only home exercise program.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 111
- Tenderness and pain over lateral epicondylitis and provocation of the lateral elbow pain with one the following tests; resisted middle finger extension, resisted wrist extension, the passive stretch of wrist extensors.
- Participants had a direct radiograph of the elbow within the last 3 months
- Epicondylitis bandage users
- History of injection for lateral epicondylitis in the last 6 months
- Radial nerve compression
- History of arm/forearm fracture
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Thrombocytopenia
- Coagulopathy
- Bleeding diathesis
- Neuropathy
- Use of anticoagulants
- Widespread pain syndrome
- History of inflammatory arthritis
- Presence of trauma to the elbow region in the last 3 months
- Statement of the participant that he/she will not be able to continue the follow-ups for the research
- Fear of injection
- Untreated psychiatric illness
- Presence of drug/substance abuse
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Dry needling and home exercise Dry needling The experimental intervention will consist of 3 sessions of dry needling of the lateral epicondyle region, once per week with disposable acupuncture needles (0.25x25mm). Range of motion, stretching exercises, ulnar and radial deviation, forearm pronation, supination, elbow extensor, and flexor strengthening exercises will be given to all participants. The exercise program will be performed for 10 repetitions 2 times a day. All participants will be advised to continue the exercise program for 12 weeks. Dry needling and home exercise Home exercise program The experimental intervention will consist of 3 sessions of dry needling of the lateral epicondyle region, once per week with disposable acupuncture needles (0.25x25mm). Range of motion, stretching exercises, ulnar and radial deviation, forearm pronation, supination, elbow extensor, and flexor strengthening exercises will be given to all participants. The exercise program will be performed for 10 repetitions 2 times a day. All participants will be advised to continue the exercise program for 12 weeks. Home exercise Home exercise program Range of motion, stretching exercises, ulnar and radial deviation, forearm pronation, supination, elbow extensor, and flexor strengthening exercises will be given to all participants. The exercise program will be performed for 10 repetitions 2 times a day. All participants will be advised to continue the exercise program for 12 weeks.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) 0. week (baseline); 4. week; 12. week Change in the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire. PRTEE is a 15-item questionnaire designed to measure forearm pain and disability in patients with lateral epicondylitis. PRTEE allows patients to rate their levels of elbow pain and disability from 0 to 10. The test consists of 2 subscales: 1) Pain subscale \[5 items\] (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable) 2) Function subscale \[Specific activities - 6 items, Usual activities - 4 items\] (0 = no difficulty, 10 = unable to do). A total score can be computed on a scale of 100 (0 = no disability).
Visual Analogue Scale 0. week (baseline); 4. week; 12. week Change in the Visual Analogue Scale. Pain on the lateral epicondyle at rest during the day was evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS 0-10 cm).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Pain free handgrip strength 0. week (baseline); 4. week; 12. week Change in the pain-free handgrip strength. JAMAR hand dynamometer
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Health Sciences Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital
🇹🇷Izmir, Karabaglar, Turkey