Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Ultrasound and Phonophoresis Treatments in Lateral Epicondylitis
Condition: Lateral Epicondylitis
MeSH terms: Tennis Elbow
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study; to determine the effectiveness of ESWT, ultrasound and phonophoresis
      treatments on pain, grip strength, functionality and quality of life in patients with lateral
      epicondylitis and to determine the superiority of the treatments to each other.
    

Detailed description: 
      Lateral epicondylitis is the most common cause of elbow lateral pain in adults. Pain that
      occurs in LE and radiates to the humerus and forearm is characteristic of this disease. The
      main complaints being pain and decreased grip strength, both of which may affect activities
      of daily living. The patient's complaints regress with rest,but but can increase again during
      daily activities such as grasping, repetitive hand movements, holding door handles, turning
      keys, lifting heavy loads. Diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis is largely based on clinical
      history and examination. Conservative treatment is the first line treatment. Generally, %90
      of patients with LE benefit from conservative and medical treatment, and only a few need
      surgery. These treatment methods include many options such as activity modification, topical
      and oral NSAIDs, splinting, stretching and strengthening exercises, various injections,
      prolotherapy and electrotherapy modalities. Laser, TENS, ultrasound, phonophoresis,
      iontophoresis and ESWT are electrotherapeutic agents that can be used in therapy to relieve
      pain and promote healing. Research on physical treatments for LE has not yet proven
      superiority of one specific approach.

      Although many studies have been done for ESWT, ultrasound and phonophoresis, there is not any
      study that compares these three modalities.In addition, there ara fewer studies about
      measuring the effect of these treatment methods which contain control groups. In this study,
      our aim is to investigate the efficacy of ESWT, ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis methods
      used in the treatment of LE and to compare the efficacy of these three treatments against
      each other and control group.
    

Intervention name(s): ESWT; Phonophoresis; Ultrasound; Control group
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Device; Other
Intervention description(s): Group 1 (n = 17) will be given two times a week, total 5 sessions of ESWT + home exercise program
Other: Home Workout Program Patients will be given eccentric exercises and stretching exercises; Group 2 ( n=17) will be given five times a week total 10 sessions of diclofenac phonophoresis + home exercise program
Other: Home Workout Program Patients will be given eccentric exercises and stretching exercises; Group 3 (n=17) will be given five times a week total 10 sessions of ultrasound therapy+ home exercise program
Other: Home Workout Program Patients will be given eccentric exercises and stretching exercises; Other: Home Workout Program Patients will be given eccentric exercises and stretching exercises
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: lateral epicondylitis; extracorporeal shock wave therapy; ultrasound; phonophoresis