Efficacy Of Laser Acupuncture Combined With Physiotherapy In Tennis Elbow Syndrome
NCT Number: NCT06535594
Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phases: NA
Conditions: Pain
Interventions: OTHER: Laser acupuncture|OTHER: Physical therapy
Sponsor: University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
Sex: ALL
Age: ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Enrollment: 30
Study Design: Allocation: NA|Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP|Masking: NONE|Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
Start Date: 2024-08-01
Completion Date: 2024-09

Summary:
Tennis Elbow (TE) syndrome affects 1 to 3% of adults annually. The burden of TE syndrome continues to increase annually due to repeated microtrauma to the forearm extensor tendon. Treatment mainly includes anti-inflammatory pain medications, physical therapy, shockwave therapy, Laser acupuncture therapy, topical nitrates, elbow braces, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is considered for cases where conservative treatment fails, including open and arthroscopic surgery.

Laser acupuncture (LA) is a new acupuncture technique using Laser beams to stimulate acupuncture points, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional needles and demonstrating therapeutic effectiveness. Recent Studies have shown that LA significantly improves pain in TE patients. Additionally, combining physical therapy for functional rehabilitation in treating TE syndrome plays an essential role in alleviating pain and restoring elbow joint function, preventing long-term stiffness. In practice, many hospitals apply a combination of LA and physical therapy to treat TE with considerable effectiveness, though it has not been thoroughly evidence-based.

Given the limitations in evaluating treatment effectiveness and the lack of published research discussing the analgesic effects of LA for TE syndrome, as well as to enhance the effectiveness of combining TCM and modern medicine, the investigators conducted the study Pain Reduction and Range of Motion Improvement of LA Combined with Physical Therapy in Patients with TE syndrome.

Primary Outcome Measures: The change of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Symptom scores will be assessed based on a visual analogue scale (VAS). It usually consists of a 10 cm line anchored at each end by descriptors. Patients will be classified into 1 of 4 groups (no pain (0 cm), mild pain (1-3 cm), moderate pain (4-7 cm), severe pain (8-10 cm))., Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the four weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4)
Secondary Outcome Measures: Proportion of intervention-related adverse events, While laser acupuncture is generally considered safe, some patients may experience minor side effects at the application site. These can include skin redness or burns. Rarely, more serious complications like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue may occur. The study will closely monitor and document any unexpected adverse events associated with the procedure., Up to four weeks|The change of active range of motion of the elbow joint, Active range of motion of the elbow joint measured using a goniometer., Assessments were conducted before intervention and after each intervention week throughout the four weeks (Week 0, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4)