Dry Needling, Manipulation and Stretching vs. Manual Therapy, Exercise and Ultrasound for Lateral… (NCT03167710) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Dry Needling, Manipulation and Stretching vs. Manual Therapy, Exercise and Ultrasound for Lateral Epicondylalgia
United States143 participantsStarted 2017-06-15
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with lateral epicondylalgia: electric dry needling, thrust manipulation and stretching versus impairment-based manual therapy, exercise and ultrasound. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat lateral epicondyalgia. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Adult between 18 and 60 years old that is able to speak English.
. Report of at least 6 weeks of elbow (i.e. lateral epicondyle) and dorsal forearm pain, consistent with lateral epicondylitis:
. Patient has not had physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment or injections for elbow pain in the last 6 months:
. Diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis, defined as two of more of the following:
. Pain on palpation over the lateral epicondyle and the associated common extensor unit
. Pain on gripping a hand dynamometer
. Pain with stretching or contraction of the wrist extensor muscles
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compared two hands-on treatment combinations for tennis elbow — one using dry needling, manipulation, and stretching, and the other using manual therapy, exercise, and ultrasound — can you help me understand which of these approaches might be a better starting point for my specific situation?
2Since this study is already completed and was measuring changes in elbow pain scores and a tennis elbow questionnaire, have the results been published, and if so, what did they actually show about which approach worked better?
3Dry needling is one of the techniques studied here — can you explain what that involves, whether it carries any risks I should know about, and whether it's something you'd feel comfortable recommending for me?
4Both treatment plans in this trial appear to be non-surgical and hands-on — is there a standard first-line treatment for lateral epicondylitis that you'd recommend I try before considering anything from this or a similar study?
5Since this trial has already ended and I can't enroll in it, are there other active studies or evidence-based treatment protocols for tennis elbow that I should be discussing with you right now?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Elbow pain (NPRS) (Rating Score)
Timeframe: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months
2
Change in Patient-related Tennis Elbow Questionnaire
. Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: severe hypertension, infection, uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic ischemia, edema, severe varicosities, tumor, metabolic disease, prolonged steroid use, fracture, RA, osteoporosis, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.
. Report of Previous surgery of the elbow, history of elbow dislocation, elbow fracture and/or tendon rupture
. Report of systemic neurological disorders and/or neurological deficits to include the following:
. Nerve root compression (muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity, diminished upper extremity deep tendon reflex, or diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome)
. Central nervous system involvement (hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes)
. History of whiplash injury within the previous 6 weeks
. History of surgery to the head/neck or affected upper extremity.