Effect of Magnetotherapy Combined With Cold Application and Exercise in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of magnetotherapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Lateral epicondylitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and tenderness over the outer part of the elbow, often associated with repetitive wrist extension and gripping activities. It may cause reduced grip strength, functional limitations, and decreased quality of life.

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial, 40 patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups using the sealed envelope method.

The experimental group will receive active magnetotherapy in addition to standard treatment (local application and supervised exercise therapy). The control group will receive sham magnetotherapy (inactive device without magnetic field) plus the same standard treatment. Treatments will be administered five days per week for three weeks.

Magnetotherapy will be applied at a frequency of 50 Hz and intensity of 85 Gauss for 30 minutes per session. All participants will also receive 15 minutes of local application and 15 minutes of supervised exercises including eccentric wrist extensor exercises, isotonic strengthening, stretching, and isometric exercises.

Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline (week 0), at the end of treatment (week 3), and at follow-up (week 12). Primary and secondary outcome measures include pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), pressure pain threshold (algometer), grip strength (hand dynamometer), functional status (PRTEE and QuickDASH questionnaires), quality of life (SF-36), clinical provocation tests (Cozen, Mill's, and Maudsley's tests), and patient satisfaction (Likert scale).

The study hypothesis is that adding magnetotherapy to standard treatment will provide additional benefit in reducing pain and improving function compared to standard treatment alone.

Conditions

• Magnetotherapy
• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Interventions

DEVICE

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (Magnetotherapy)

Active pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy applied to the lateral epicondyle region using a device delivering 50 Hz frequency and 85 Gauss intensity for 30 minutes per session. Treatment is administered five days per week for three consecutive weeks. The device generates an active magnetic field. All participants additionally receive 15 minutes of local application and 15 minutes of supervised therapeutic exercise including eccentric wrist extensor exercises, isotonic strengthening, stretching, and isometric exercises.

DEVICE

Sham Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Sham pulsed electromagnetic field therapy applied to the lateral epicondyle region using an identical device that does not emit a magnetic field. The procedure duration (30 minutes per session), frequency (five days per week), and total treatment period (three weeks) are identical to the active intervention to maintain blinding. Participants additionally receive 15 minutes of local application and 15 minutes of supervised therapeutic exercise including eccentric wrist extensor exercises, isotonic strengthening, stretching, and isometric exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-27

Primary Completion

2026-06-27

Completion

2026-11-27

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations