Epicondylar Muscle Activation in Tennis Players

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Epicondylitis is one of the most common pathologies in tennis players. The search for an effective treatment is necessary for the relief of symptoms and the return to sports practice. Therefore, a ddry needling treatment in combination with electricity is postulated as an alternative to isolated dry needling treatment or conventional physiotherapy treatment. Data will be collected in relation to pain and muscle activation by EMG in order to check the effectiveness of these techniques as well as the muscle activation that is generated.

Official Title
-----------------
Effectiveness of Electrical Dry Needdling on Epicondylar Muscle Activation by EMG in Tennis Players. Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
-----------------
Epicondylitis, Lateral

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Electrical dry needling + Conventional physiotherapy
* Other: Dry needling + Conventional physiotherapy
* Other: Conventional physiotherapy


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: tennis players of both sexes federated and non-federated of Castilla y León playing tennis for at least 2 years presence if one trigger point in epicondilar musculature Exclusion Criteria: not informed consent signature nervous, vascular, articular or musculoskeletal system alterations tests or techniques performed fear (belonephobia) pregnancy allergic to any type of metal or body oil active febrile proces current pain treatments in the area involved surgery in the last year for upper limb pathologies cognitive alterations taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs 24 hours before the start of the study or taking them during the duration of the study

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention Group Electrical Dry Needling amd Physiotherapy<br>The intervention group will receive a treatment composed by electrical dry needling and conventional physiotherapy treatment | Other: Electrical dry needling + Conventional physiotherapy<br>* Electrical dry needling and conventional physiotherapy treatment (massage, pressure release): 2 sessions<br>|
| Active Comparator: Intervention Group Dry Needling amd Physiotherapy<br>This group will receive a treatment composed by dry needling and conventional physiotherapy treatment | Other: Dry needling + Conventional physiotherapy<br>* Dry needling and conventional physiotherapy treatment (massage, pressure release): 2 sessions<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Control Group<br>Control group will receive conventional physiotherapy treatment | Other: Conventional physiotherapy<br>* Conventional physiotherapy treatment (massage, pressure release): 2 sessions<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscular activation | Electromyography: the adequate electrical activity of the muscles will be observed and the nerves will show adequate conduction of electrical impulses. This indicates normal and healthy functioning of the neuromuscular system | 30 minutes | 
| Pain | Numeric Pain Rating Scale: Single 11-point numerical scale where scores correspond to Pain scores are interpreted as: 0 = no pain, 1-3 = mild pain, 4-6 = moderate pain and 7-10 = severe pain. 7-10 = severe pain | Initial, up to 2 weeks, and up to 6 weeks | 
| Algometry | Pressure algometer is an instrument with a circular disk on which the pressure measurements are displayed (with a range of 5 kg, divided into 10 parts of half a kilogram), and a rubber tip with a circular surface of 1 cm2, which allows transferring the pressure force to deep tissues. | Initial, up to 2 weeks, and up to 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
EMG, Electrical dry needling, Tennis, Physiotherapy