Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07789886

Comparison of Three Physiotherapy Approaches in Lateral Epicondylitis Treatment

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

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis Arm Injuries Elbow Injuries Elbow Tendinopathy Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Tendinopathy Tendon Injuries Tennis Elbow Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

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).

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.

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain Intensity (VAS)

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

    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.

  2. Change in Grip Strength Measured by Hand Dynamometer

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

    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.

Secondary outcomes

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

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

    Tennis elbow symptoms and functional limitations were evaluated using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate greater pain and functional disability, representing a worse clinical outcome.

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

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

    Upper extremity disability and symptoms were evaluated using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate greater upper extremity disability and symptom severity, representing a worse clinical outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of the Efficiency of Physiotherapy Alone, Kinesiotape Combined With Physiotherapy, and Wrist Joint Splint Combined With Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Aug 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.