NCT02343809

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.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_3

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2014

Shorter than P25 for phase_3

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2014

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 16, 2015

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 22, 2015

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2015

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2016

Completed
Last Updated

January 22, 2015

Status Verified

January 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

1.1 years

First QC Date

January 16, 2015

Last Update Submit

January 21, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

PhysiotherapyLateral epicondylitisManual therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Pain intensity

    Pain intensity (VAS)

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

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Pressure Pain Threshold

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

  • Pain free grip strength

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

  • Functional status

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

  • Global Rating of Change scale

    post-intervention, after three months

Study Arms (3)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Actual Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy

Other: Actual Diacutaneous FibrolysisOther: Protocolized Physiotherapy

Placebo Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Protocolized Physiotherapy

Other: Sham Diacutaneous FibrolysisOther: Protocolized Physiotherapy

Control Group

OTHER

Protocolized Physiotherapy

Other: Protocolized Physiotherapy

Interventions

Diacutaneous Fibrolysis is a non-invasive physiotherapeutic technique applied by means of a set of metallic hooks ending in a spatula with bevelled edges that allow a deeper and more precise application, which could not be achieved manually. The hook is deeply applied following the intermuscular septum between the muscles with an anatomical of functional relationship with the painful structure in order to release adherences between musculoskeletal structures.

Intervention Group

Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis is applied at a superficial level. A pinch of skin was held with the thumb of the palpatory hand and the tip of the spatula, without any action taking place on the deep tissular levels.

Placebo Group

Protocolized physiotherapeutic treatment: Three weeks fo daily stretching exercises, ultrasound and analgesic electrotherapy

Control GroupIntervention GroupPlacebo Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • years old and over
  • Diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylalgia
  • Sign the informed consent form

You may not qualify if:

  • Concomitant conditions affecting the same upper extremity
  • Contraindications for Diacutaneous Fibrolysis
  • Pending litigation or legal claim
  • Poor language and communication skills making difficult to understand the informed consent

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Catalan Institut of Health - Sant Ildefons Rehabilitation Center

Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, 08940, Spain

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Elbow TendinopathyTendinopathyMuscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesElbow InjuriesArm InjuriesWounds and InjuriesTendon Injuries

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 16, 2015

First Posted

January 22, 2015

Study Start

October 1, 2014

Primary Completion

November 1, 2015

Study Completion

January 1, 2016

Last Updated

January 22, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-01

Locations