MedTrace Logo

Comparison of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

NCT07564713 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2026-05-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background:

Lateral epicondylitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and functional impairment of the elbow, often associated with degenerative changes in the common extensor tendon. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are widely used noninvasive treatment modalities; however, comparative evidence regarding their clinical and structural effects remains limited.

Objective:

This study aims to compare the effects of ESWT and LLLT on pain intensity, elbow function, quality of life, grip strength, and ultrasonographic characteristics of the extensor tendon (thickness and echogenicity) in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Methods:

This prospective, randomized, single-blind, comparative clinical trial will be conducted at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Patients aged 18-65 years with clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis and symptom duration of at least six weeks will be included. All participants will receive a tennis elbow brace and a standardized exercise program. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ESWT or LLLT. ESWT will be applied to the lateral epicondyle region using a standardized protocol once weekly for 3 weeks. LLLT will be administered to the same region using standard clinical protocol three times per week for 3 weeks.

Assessments will be performed before and after treatment. Pain will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), elbow function using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and grip strength using a hand dynamometer. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the common extensor tendon will be performed by a blinded specialist using a high-frequency linear probe to assess tendon thickness.

Conditions

  • Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

ESWT Group

ESWT will be applied to the lateral epicondyle region using a standardized protocol for 3 sessions in three weeks

BEHAVIORAL

LLLT Group

LLLT will be applied to the lateral epicondyle region using a standardized protocol three times per week for 3 weeks

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hitit University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Pınar Başaran, Dr · Hitit University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-29
Primary Completion
2026-09-29
Completion
2026-09-29

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07564713 on ClinicalTrials.gov