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Lateral EpicondylitisNCT06674668

Effect of Vibrotactile Stimulation in Lateral Epicondylitis

A study testing Vibrotactile stimulation and Traditional physiotherapy in people with Lateral Epicondylitis and Vibration Therapy, run by Medipol University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

It is aimed to investigate the immediate effect of vibrotactile stimulation on pain, sense and functionality in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
What is being tested?
Vibrotactile stimulation and Traditional physiotherapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
33 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
14 Jun 2023to Dec 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Being between 18-65 years of age
  • Patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis

Who cannot join

  • Having had elbow surgery
  • Having a history of congenital or acquired orthopedic, neurological, or rheumatological conditions affecting the upper limb
  • Having received any conservative treatment for the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Istanbul Kultur University

    Istanbul

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Immediate Effect of Wearable Vibrotactile Stimulation on Pain and Sense in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis

It is aimed to investigate the immediate effect of vibrotactile stimulation on pain, sense and functionality in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Read the detailed description

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a chronic degenerative disease of the attachment site of the extensor tendons to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The annual incidence is 1-3% of the world population and is most common between the ages of 30 and 60. Although LE is often called "tennis elbow," a small percentage of patients play tennis. The etiology of the disease is multifactorial, and it is generally thought to be caused by repetitive wrist activities that include gripping, wrist extension, and supination. Most patients recover spontaneously within 1-2 years. However, loss of work capacity is quite common in jobs that require the use of the upper extremity.

The pathophysiology of the disease is currently explained by degenerative mechanisms instead of the idea of inflammatory infiltration. Microtears and tendinosis caused by increased force on the tendon are supported by ultrasonographic examinations. However, currently, pain and functional disability in daily life are explained by sensory changes such as pain pressure threshold, impaired vibration perception and joint position sense rather than tendon structure changes. Clinically, lateral elbow pain results in decreased grip strength and proprioception, and consequently loss of function.

In LE management, the aim is to relieve pain, minimize excessive loads on the arm and restore the patient to optimal daily life activities and former functionality.

While there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of surgical interventions in treatment, nonoperative methods are frequently preferred. Patient education, use of splints, medical treatments, biological treatments, physical agents, taping, and manual therapy approaches are frequently used. While conservative treatments remain up-to-date for pain and disability, the most appropriate treatment strategy is controversial.

The use of technology in physiotherapy has been increasing in recent years. In addition to motor movement, the development of sensory skills is also emphasized. On the other hand, vibrotactile stimulation has been reported to contribute to the sensory processing mechanism by causing different activity levels in the brain. There are no studies in the literature investigating the effects of wearable vibration technology on sensory parameters in LE patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of wearable vibrotactile application on pain, sensation and upper extremity function compared to traditional physiotherapy in patients with LE.

Patients diagnosed with LE will be included in the study. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Patients in both groups will receive one session of conventional physiotherapy on the affected extremity. In addition to the intervention group, the use of a wearable vibrotactile device will be provided. Immediate effects will be evaluated before and after the application in both groups.

Being tested
Vibrotactile stimulation, Traditional physiotherapy
Medical subject headings
Tennis Elbow

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Vibrotactile stimulationOther

    The intervention includes traditional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of vibrotactile device use. As traditional physiotherapy, 30 seconds of 8 repetitions of passive wrist stretching exercises, radial head mobilization and deep friction massage will be applied to the affected extremity. Afterwards, the Intellinetix Elbow Wearable Vibration Device providing vibration will be worn on the affected tissue. The patient will remain in a comfortable position on the treatment table with the affected extremity for 20 minutes (10 minutes × 2).

  • Traditional physiotherapyOther

    For traditional physiotherapy, passive stretching exercises, radial head mobilization and deep friction massage will be applied to the affected extremity. Stretching exercises will be performed on the wrist flexor and extensor muscles for 30 seconds and 8 repetitions. Mill's manipulation, described by James Cyriax, will be applied once for radial head mobilization. The treatment will be completed with a 5-minute deep friction massage, affecting the wrist extensor muscle tendons and their ending points.

Study groups in NCT06674668
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention groupExperimentalThe intervention includes traditional physiotherapy and vibrotactile device use.
Receives: Other: Vibrotactile stimulation
Control groupActive comparatorFor traditional physiotherapy, passive stretching exercises, radial head mobilization and deep friction massage will be applied to the affected extremity.
Receives: Other: Traditional physiotherapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain Severity

    A 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain intensity. A horizontal 10 cm ruler was used (0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain).

    Measured: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour

  2. Pressure pain threshold

    The J tech brand algometer device will be used for the pressure pain threshold measurement. The trigger points will be found by palpation. The person will be told that the device will apply pressure to the trigger point and that they will give the command "stop" when they first feel the pain.

    Measured: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour

  3. Joint position sense

    Elbow joint position sense will be measured with an inclinometer for 45 and 60 degree flexion target angle. The elbow will be brought to the target angle and they will be asked to memorize the movement by holding it for 10 seconds. Then, they will be asked to bring the target force they learned themselves. The absolute value of the difference between the target value and the last measurements will be taken as the error score.

    Measured: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Hand grip sensitivity level

    Pneumatic dynamometer will be used for measurement. The individual's maximum grip strength will be measured and half will be taken to determine the target strength. First, the target strength measurement will be made, then the target measurement will be asked to repeat it without seeing the target measurement value. The absolute value of the difference between the targeted value and the measurements will be calculated and recorded as an error score.

    Measured: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour

  2. Grip Strength

    Takei Hand Grip Dynamometer will be used to assess painless grip strength. Subjects will be instructed to increase their grip strength and stop if they feel pain or discomfort. Painless grip strength will be measured 3 times with 30 seconds between measurements and an average score will be obtained.

    Measured: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour

  3. Functional assessment

    The Turkish version of the Disability Score for the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) will be used to assess upper extremity physical function. The questionnaire consists of 30 questions. Scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate lower functionality.

    Measured: 2 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Nov 2024
  2. Study start14 Jun 2023
  3. Primary completionNov 2024 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2024 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
33 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06674668
Sponsor's protocol ID
İK-2023-01
Status last verified
Oct 2024
First submitted
21 Oct 2024
Last updated
5 Nov 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Vibrotactile stimulation and Traditional physiotherapy in people with Lateral Epicondylitis and Vibration Therapy, run by Medipol University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Imge NAS (+902124984141, i.nas@iku.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pain Severity (time frame: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional about 1st hour). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2024.

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