Comparison of Three Physiotherapy Approaches in Lateral Epicondylitis Treatment

NCT07789886 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MedipolU-785
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of physiotherapy alone (PTA), Kinesiotaping (KT) combined with physiotherapy (KTPT), and wrist rest splint combined with physiotherapy (PTWJRS) treatments for the treatment of LE

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis; Tennis Elbow

Keywords

Physiotherapy; Kinesiotaping; Wrist Rest Splint; Tennis Elbow; Lateral Epicondylitis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Pain Intensity (VAS)

  Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 10. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity, representing a worse clinical outcome.

  Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

• Change in Grip Strength Measured by Hand Dynamometer

  Painless and maximum grip strengths were evaluated using a hand dynamometer. The measurements are recorded in kilograms (kg). Higher values indicate greater grip strength, representing better physical function and a better clinical outcome.

  Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Score

  Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

• Change in QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) Score

  Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Study Arms (3)

Physiotherapy Alone (PTA)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients received only physiotherapy for a total of 15 sessions.

Other: Physiotherapy Program

Physiotherapy with Kinesiotaping (PTKT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients received the standard 15-session physiotherapy program and additional kinesiotaping for 5 days a week for 3 weeks.

Other: Physiotherapy Program; Device: Kinesiotaping (KT)

Physiotherapy with Wrist Splint (PTWJS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients received the standard 15-session physiotherapy program and a wrist joint rest splinting program.

Other: Physiotherapy Program; Device: Wrist Joint Rest Splint

Interventions

Physiotherapy Program OTHER

A 15-session program (5 days a week) consisting of ultrasound (1.5 W/cm2, 1 MHz for 3 min), TENS (15 min), cold pack (15 min), eccentric strengthening exercises for wrist extensors, and deep friction massage (5 min).

Physiotherapy Alone (PTA); Physiotherapy with Kinesiotaping (PTKT); Physiotherapy with Wrist Splint (PTWJS)

Kinesiotaping (KT) DEVICE

Applied at the end of each PT session using forearm muscle inhibition and fascia correction techniques. Tapes remained on the elbow for approximately 345 hours in total.

Physiotherapy with Kinesiotaping (PTKT)

Wrist Joint Rest Splint DEVICE

Used 6-8 hours a day during the 15-session program. Fixed at a 5° to 10° extension to reduce loading stress.

Physiotherapy with Wrist Splint (PTWJS)

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Patients applying with complaints of elbow pain lasting more than 3 months.
• Diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis based on tenderness/pain on the lateral humeral epicondyle region.
• Pain aggravated by passive stretching of the wrist extensors (Mill's test) or resisted extension of the middle finger (Maudley's test).
• Pain, limited active ROM at the wrist joint, and hand grip weakness.

You may not qualify if:

• Inflammatory/infectious joint disease, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder/hand/wrist pathologies.
• Radiculopathy, fibromyalgia, psychiatric/neurological disease, history of malignancy.
• Cervical trauma, surgery, or upper extremity trauma.
• Adhesive tape allergy.
• Received corticosteroid injections for LE within the previous 3 months or PT for the elbow within the previous 6 months.
• Used oral or topical NSAIDs or received other treatments for LE in the previous 3 months or during the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: To minimize detection bias, the researcher responsible for recording and evaluating the pre-treatment and post-treatment clinical assessments was blinded to the patients' group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 13, 2026
• First Posted: August 27, 2026
• Study Start: November 20, 2020
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2021
• Study Completion: March 10, 2021
• Last Updated: August 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)