Effectiveness of Radial Nerve Mobilization for Chronic Epicondylalgia

NCT07146620 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CER: FIS-2021-11
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Effectiveness of radial nerve mobilization techniques and their interfaces for treating chronic epicondylalgia Intervention: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will evaluate the effectiveness of adding radial nerve and its interface mobilization techniques to conventional musculoskeletal treatment. Participants: Patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of chronic epicondylalgia and a positive radial nerve neurodynamic test. Those with previous infiltrations, concomitant pathologies, or contraindications will be excluded. Study Groups:

• Control Group (n=23): Will receive conventional musculoskeletal treatment.
• Intervention Group (n=23): Will receive the same conventional treatment plus mobilization of the radial nerve and its interfaces. Primary Outcomes:
• Pain (NPRS).
• Pain and functionality (PRTEE).
• Pressure pain threshold (Algometry).
• Pain-free grip strength (Dynamometry).
• Central sensitization (CSI). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, one week after the last treatment, and 3 months after the last treatment.

Conditions

Tennis Elbow; Physical Therapy Modalities

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Score from 0 to 10. Zero is equivalent to no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Pain and Functional Disability

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

• Handgrip

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

• Pressure pain threshold - Elbow

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

• Pressure pain threshold - short radial extensor

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

• Pressure pain threshold - Radial nerve

  From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), neurodynamic mobilization, and a real Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks.

Other: Forearm massage; Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points; Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique; Other: Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real)

Control Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and a Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks.

Other: Forearm massage; Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points; Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique; Other: Radial Nerve Neurodynamic Mobilization; Other: Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham)

Interventions

Forearm massage OTHER

A general massage of the forearm will be performed. The physical therapist perform deep, longitudinal strokes. Pressure will be maintained at a level the patient finds comfortable for 3 minutes.

Also known as: Soft Tissue Mobilization of the Forearm

Control Group; Intervention Group

Pressure release for forearm trigger points OTHER

Pressure will be applied to trigger points in the forearm. This will be done in three sets of 30-second applications, with 30 seconds of rest between each.

Also known as: Trigger point therapy for the forearm, Ischemic compression of forearm trigger point

Control Group; Intervention Group

Mulligan mobilization with movement technique OTHER

A lateromedial glide will be performed. The technique will be applied for three sets of 10 repetitions, with 30 seconds of rest between each set.

Also known as: Mobilization with Movement (MWM)

Control Group; Intervention Group

Radial Nerve Neurodynamic Mobilization OTHER

Three sets of 30 nerve glides will be performed at a rhythm of one second of tension followed by one second of rest. There will be 30 seconds of rest between sets.

Also known as: Radial Nerve Glides

Control Group

Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real) OTHER

A real technique of Diacutaneous fibrolysis will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes.

Also known as: Diacutaneous fibrolysis

Intervention Group

Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham) OTHER

A sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis technique (skin pinch) will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age: Over 18 years old.
• Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylalgia.
• Chronic epicondylalgia symptoms for at least 3 months.
• Positive radial nerve neurodynamic test
• Signed informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Infiltrations for CE within at least 3 months prior to the study.
• Concomitant problems or mobility issues of the upper limb or cervical spine.
• Contraindications specific to Diacutaneous Fibrolysis or neural mobilization.
• Difficulty understanding and signing the informed consent form.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Barcelona, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow

Interventions

Movement; salicylhydroxamic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Elbow Tendinopathy; Tendinopathy; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Elbow Injuries; Arm Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Tendon Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer Professor

Model Details: Treatment protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 21, 2025
• First Posted: August 28, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 26, 2026
• Study Completion: April 27, 2026
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)