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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
42
10 sessions over 2 weeks, including TENS, cold therapy, ultrasound, and exercise therapy, 5 sessions per week.
4 sessions total, applied 2 times per week for 2 weeks.
4 sessions total, applied 2 times per week for 2 weeks.
Pamukkale University
Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain Severity - Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity will be evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), a 10 cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Continuous scale (0-10), higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), at the end of 2-week treatment, 4 weeks after treatment completion
Grip Strength - Hand Dynamometer
Grip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Continuous scale, higher scores indicate better outcome
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), at the end of 2-week treatment, 4 weeks after treatment completion
Upper Extremity Function - Duruöz Hand Index
The Duruöz Hand Index is a functional scale that assesses hand-related disability. Scores range from 0 to 90, with higher scores indicating worse functional impairment.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), at the end of 2-week treatment, 4 weeks after treatment completion
Functional Evaluation - PRTEE-T (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation)
The PRTEE-T is a 15-item patient-rated questionnaire for lateral epicondylitis. Total scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximum disability). Continuous scale (0-100), higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), at the end of 2-week treatment, 4 weeks after treatment completion
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