NCT07028840

Physiotherapy Applications in Lateral Epicondylitis

A Comparison of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and High-intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) in Terms of Pain, Function and Grip Strength in Lateral Epicondilitis: a Randomized Controlled Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (actual)
• Sponsor: Pamukkale University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in improving pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis. A total of 42 volunteer patients aged 18-65 were enrolled at Balıkesir Private Sevgi Hospital physical medicine polyclinic. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: group 1 received conventional physiotherapy, group 2 received physiotherapy plus ESWT, and group 3 received physiotherapy plus HILT. Physiotherapy was applied for 2 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. ESWT and HILT were each administered twice weekly for 2 weeks, totaling 4 sessions. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength with a hand dynamometer, and function using the Duruöz Hand Index and PRTEE-T questionnaire. Evaluations were performed before treatment, after 2 weeks, and one month post-treatment.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled clinical trial investigates the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, grip strength, and function in patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. The study was conducted at the physical medicine polyclinic of Balıkesir Private Sevgi Hospital and included 42 patients aged 18 to 65 who were referred for therapeutic physical therapy after being diagnosed for the first time with lateral epicondylitis. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1: received conventional physiotherapy including hot pack application, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), and stretching/strengthening exercises. Physiotherapy was administered 5 times per week for 2 weeks (total of 10 sessions). Group 2: received the same physiotherapy as group 1, plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) administered twice per week for 2 weeks (total of 4 sessions). Group 3: received the same physiotherapy as group 1, plus high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) administered twice per week for 2 weeks (total of 4 sessions). Pain severity was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength using a hand dynamometer, and functional status using the Duruöz Hand Index and patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE-T). All outcome measures were assessed at three time points: baseline (before treatment), post-treatment (after 2 weeks), and at 1-month follow-up. The primary objective was to assess whether either ESWT or HILT offers additional benefit over standard physiotherapy and whether one modality is superior to the other in treating lateral epicondylitis.

Conditions

• Lateral Epicondylitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Physiotherapy	10 sessions over 2 weeks, including TENS, cold therapy, ultrasound, and exercise therapy, 5 sessions per week.
DEVICE	Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)	4 sessions total, applied 2 times per week for 2 weeks.
DEVICE	High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)	4 sessions total, applied 2 times per week for 2 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-06-10
• Primary completion: 2020-09-05
• Completion: 2020-12-30
• First posted: 2025-06-19
• Last updated: 2025-06-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)