Telerehabilitation vs Supervised Physiotherapy for Medial Epicondylitis

NCT07582510 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Telerehabilitation of ME 2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and supervised physiotherapy in patients with medial epicondylitis. The primary outcome is improvement in pain and function using the Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE). Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, grip strength, musculoskeletal ultrasound findings, adherence, and upper limb disability measured by Quick DASH.

Conditions

Medial Epicondylitis; Telerehabilitation; Physiotherapy

Keywords

medial epicondylitis; telerehabilitation; grip strength; Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation; Quick DASH

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) Score

  The PREE is a 15-item questionnaire assessing pain and functional disability. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse pain and function.

  Baseline and 8 Weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Colour Ultrasonography

  Baseline and 8 Weeks

• Grip Strength (hand dynamometer)

  Baseline and 8 Weeks

• Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline and 8 Weeks

Study Arms (2)

Telerehabilitation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a structured home-based rehabilitation program delivered through digital platforms with weekly remote supervision.

Other: Telerehabilitation Exercise Program

Supervised Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive clinic-based physiotherapy sessions including supervised exercises.

Other: Supervised Physiotherapy Program

Interventions

Telerehabilitation Exercise Program OTHER

Participants will perform a home-based progressive loading program targeting the wrist flexor-pronator muscles three times per week for 8 weeks. The protocol will progress from isometric exercises in weeks 1-2 (4-5 × 30-45 s holds), to eccentric loading in weeks 3-4 (3 × 15 repetitions), followed by combined concentric-eccentric training in weeks 5-6 (3-4 × 10-12 repetitions), and heavy slow resistance in weeks 7-8 (3-4 × 6-8 repetitions at \~70-85% 1RM). Exercise intensity will be guided by a pain-monitoring model (≤5/10), with progression based on tolerance. Participants will receive weekly video consultations, instructional materials, and adherence will be tracked via digital logs.

Telerehabilitation

Supervised Physiotherapy Program OTHER

Participants will undergo an identical progressive loading program targeting the wrist flexor-pronator muscles, administered three times per week for 8 weeks under direct physiotherapist supervision. The intervention will follow the same staged progression: will progress from isometric exercises in weeks 1-2 (4-5 × 30-45 s holds), to eccentric loading in weeks 3-4 (3 × 15 repetitions), followed by combined concentric-eccentric training in weeks 5-6 (3-4 × 10-12 repetitions), and heavy slow resistance in weeks 7-8 (3-4 × 6-8 repetitions at \~70-85% 1RM). Exercise intensity will be guided by a pain-monitoring model (≤5/10), with progression based on tolerance. This supervised approach ensures correct technique, optimal load progression and adherence to the protocol

Supervised Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 to 60 years
• Clinical diagnosis of medial epicondylitis
• Symptoms duration ≥6 weeks
• Pain with resisted wrist flexion
• Local tenderness at medial epicondyle

You may not qualify if:

• Previous elbow surgery
• Corticosteroid injection within the past 3 months
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Systemic inflammatory disease
• Bilateral symptoms

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Benha University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Outpatient clinic, faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha university

Banhā, Benha, 11503, Egypt

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Elbow Tendinopathy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Mahmoud Hamada Mohamed Associate Professor, Ph.D

CONTACT

01096968910; mahmoud.mohamed@fpt.bu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors, including the ultrasound examiner, will be blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either telerehabilitation or supervised physiotherapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2026
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start: May 14, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 15, 2026
• Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

EG (1)