The primary objective of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of exercise therapy alone versus exercise combined with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in individuals with lateral epicondylitis, focusing on changes in pain, grip strength, functional status, and overall treatment success.
This randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy alone versus exercise therapy combined with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in individuals diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. The study is conducted at a single center and includes adult participants who meet predefined eligibility criteria. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: an exercise-only group and an exercise-plus-ESWT group. Both groups follow a 4-week treatment program consisting of 12 sessions delivered three times per week. The exercise program includes isometric, isotonic, and stretching exercises targeting wrist extensors and related musculature. These exercises are demonstrated and supervised by physiotherapists, with participants encouraged to continue them as a home program. In the intervention group, ESWT is administered once weekly for a total of four sessions. A radial-type ESWT device is used with preset parameters (2.0 bar pressure, 10 Hz frequency, 2000 pulses per session). All ESWT applications are performed by trained physiotherapists. Clinical assessments occur at baseline and at the end of the 4-week intervention. Pain intensity, upper-extremity functional capacity, and condition-specific functional limitations are measured using validated outcome tools. Global improvement is also recorded at post-treatment to evaluate the participant's perceived benefit. This study is designed to provide comparative data on the added value of ESWT when combined with a structured exercise program for the management of lateral epicondylitis, with the goal of informing clinical decision-making and optimizing treatment strategies.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
exercise therapy
Istanbul medipol University
Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey (Türkiye)
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) applied in addition to exercise does not create a significant difference in pain level, grip strength and functional status in individuals with lateral epicondylitis compared to exercise alone.
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS) Description: Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, a 10-cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants will mark their perceived pain level on the line. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Outcome Type: Continuous Interpretation: Higher scores indicate worse pain.
Time frame: 8 week
Upper Extremity Function (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire - QuickDASH)
Upper Extremity Function (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire - QuickDASH) Description: Functional status will be measured using the QuickDASH questionnaire. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (severe disability). Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Outcome Type: Continuous Interpretation: Higher scores indicate worse functional impairment.
Time frame: 8 week
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