Trigger Point Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

NCT07638488 | Active Not Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: LE-ESWT-ECRB-2026KD24/04
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluates the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the extensor carpi radialis brevis trigger point in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Participants receive active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the lateral epicondyle region. In addition, one group receives active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the extensor carpi radialis brevis trigger point, while the other group receives sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the trigger point. Pain, grip strength, hand function, and common extensor tendon thickness are assessed before treatment and at week 4.

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Keywords

Trigger Point; Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis; Common Extensor Tendon; Ultrasonography

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Common Extensor Tendon Thickness

  Common extensor tendon thickness is measured by ultrasonography using a linear probe with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees and the forearm in mid-supination. Measurements are performed on a longitudinal image at the lateral epicondyle region, perpendicular to the tendon fibers. The change from baseline to week 4 is evaluated

  Baseline and week 4

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Pain Intensity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale

  Baseline and week 4

• Change in Grip Strength

  Baseline and week 4

• Change in Functional Disability Assessed by the Duruöz Hand Index

  Baseline and week 4

Study Arms (2)

Active Trigger Point ESWT Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the lateral epicondyle region and active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to one trigger point in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, once weekly for three sessions.

Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Sham Trigger Point ESWT Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants receive active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the lateral epicondyle region and sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy to one trigger point in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, once weekly for three sessions.

Device: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy; Device: Sham Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy DEVICE

Active extracorporeal shock wave therapy is applied to the lateral epicondyle region in both groups once weekly for three sessions. In the experimental group, active extracorporeal shock wave therapy is also applied to one trigger point in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.

Active Trigger Point ESWT Group; Sham Trigger Point ESWT Group

Sham Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy DEVICE

Sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy is applied to one trigger point in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle using a sham applicator that produces a similar sound but does not deliver therapeutic shock wave energy.

Sham Trigger Point ESWT Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 50 years
• Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis
• Tenderness over the lateral epicondyle
• Presence of trigger point in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle
• Ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Peripheral nerve disease involving the ulnar, median, or radial nerve
• Other elbow pathologies such as instability, arthritis, or dermatologic lesions
• Radicular pain
• Previous elbow surgery
• Platelet-rich plasma injection, stem cell injection, corticosteroid injection, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the affected elbow within the previous month
• Presence of a pacemaker
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gazi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital

Ankara, Ankara, 06560, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants were blinded to whether the trigger point extracorporeal shock wave therapy application was active or sham. The care provider administering the intervention was not blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD

Model Details: Participants are randomized into two parallel groups. Both groups receive active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the lateral epicondyle region. One group receives active extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the extensor carpi radialis brevis trigger point, while the other group receives sham extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the same trigger point area.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 5, 2026
• First Posted: June 10, 2026
• Study Start: October 21, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)