Dry Needling vs ESWT in Lateral Epicondylitis (NCT07550322) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Dry Needling vs ESWT in Lateral Epicondylitis
Turkey (Türkiye)60 participantsStarted 2026-05-01
Plain-language summary
This randomized single-blind controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided dry needling and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Sixty participants aged 18-65 years will be randomized into two groups. The dry needling group will receive ultrasound-guided tendon fenestration once weekly for five sessions, while the ESWT group will receive radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy once weekly for five sessions. All participants will be given a standardized home exercise program. Pain, function, grip strength, pressure pain threshold, quality of life, and ultrasonographic findings will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is change in pain severity measured by Visual Analog Scale.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* Adults aged 18 to 65 years
* Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis
* Symptoms persisting for at least 6 weeks
* Pain over the lateral epicondyle aggravated by wrist extension or gripping activities
* Positive provocative tests consistent with lateral epicondylitis (e.g., Cozen's test and/or Mill's test)
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous surgery for lateral epicondylitis in the affected elbow
* Corticosteroid injection, PRP injection, prolotherapy, mesotherapy, or ESWT to the affected elbow within the previous 6 months
* Bilateral lateral epicondylitis requiring simultaneous treatment
* Cervical radiculopathy or other neurologic disorders affecting the upper extremity
* Inflammatory rheumatic disease
* Elbow osteoarthritis or significant structural elbow pathology
* Full-thickness tendon tear or other major tendon injury on imaging
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Active infection, skin lesion, or wound at the treatment site
* Use of anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorder
* Inability to comply with follow-up assessments
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
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 pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment after 5 weekly sessions (Week 5), 12 weeks post-treatment (Week 17), and 24 weeks post-treatment (Week 29).
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07550322
SponsorHaydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital