Scapular Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

NCT07331337 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB-03/MPT-2020/MSK/CIHS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Lateral epicondylitis is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, affecting 1-3% of the population, typically in middle age and without gender bias. Evidence on the role of scapular strengthening in managing pain, grip strength, and functional limitations in these patients remains limited. This study investigated the impact of scapular muscle strengthening combined with conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone on these outcomes in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale, grip strength with a handheld dynamometer, and functional limitation with the patient-rated tennis elbow (PRTE) scale. The independent variables were the two treatment approaches: conventional therapy alone and conventional therapy supplemented with scapular strengthening.

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis

Keywords

Conventional Therapy; Scapular Strength; Grip Strength; Functional Ability; Pain; Lateral Epicondylitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain at elbow

  Pain will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. This scale has a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 10. A higher score means a worse outcome.

  4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Grip strength

  4 weeks

• Functional difficulty

  4 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Scapular Strengthening

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group received scapular strengthening in addition to conventional therapy.

Other: Scapular strengthening and conventional therapy

Conventional Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The control group received conventional therapy.

Other: Conventional Therapy

Interventions

Scapular strengthening and conventional therapy OTHER

Scapular strengthening, along with conventional therapy that consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.

Scapular Strengthening

Conventional Therapy OTHER

Conventional therapy consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.

Conventional Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Chronic lateral epicondylitis,
• Positive Mill's test.

You may not qualify if:

• Fracture in the shoulder, wrist, or elbow region,
• Upper motor neurological disorder,
• Fibromyalgia,
• Cervical radiculopathy,
• Recent burn,
• Peripheral neuropathy,
• Any surgery on the upper quadrant within six months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• King Saud University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences, Thalassery

Kannur, Kerala, 670105, India

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Elbow Tendinopathy; Tendinopathy; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Elbow Injuries; Arm Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Masood Khan, M.P.Th.

  King Saud University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 28, 2025
• First Posted: January 9, 2026
• Study Start: March 6, 2020
• Primary Completion: September 17, 2020
• Study Completion: October 23, 2020
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IN (1)