Tennis ElbowNCT07146620
Effectiveness of Radial Nerve Mobilization for Chronic Epicondylalgia
A study testing Forearm massage, Pressure release for forearm trigger points and Mulligan mobilization with movement technique in people with Tennis Elbow and Physical Therapy Modalities, run by Universitat Internacional de Catalunya at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Effectiveness of radial nerve mobilization techniques and their interfaces for treating chronic epicondylalgia Intervention: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will evaluate the effectiveness of adding radial nerve and its interface mobilization techniques to conventional musculoskeletal treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Tennis Elbow, Physical Therapy Modalities
- What is being tested?
- Forearm massage, Pressure release for forearm trigger points and Mulligan mobilization with movement technique
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 27 Apr 2026
- 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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: Over 18 years old.
- Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylalgia.
- Chronic epicondylalgia symptoms for at least 3 months.
- Positive radial nerve neurodynamic test
- Signed informed consent form.
Who cannot join
- Infiltrations for CE within at least 3 months prior to the study.
- Concomitant problems or mobility issues of the upper limb or cervical spine.
- Contraindications specific to Diacutaneous Fibrolysis or neural mobilization.
- Difficulty understanding and signing the informed consent form.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Radial Nerve Mobilization Techniques and Their Interfaces for Treating Chronic Epicondylalgia
Effectiveness of radial nerve mobilization techniques and their interfaces for treating chronic epicondylalgia
Intervention: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will evaluate the effectiveness of adding radial nerve and its interface mobilization techniques to conventional musculoskeletal treatment.
Read more
Participants: Patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of chronic epicondylalgia and a positive radial nerve neurodynamic test. Those with previous infiltrations, concomitant pathologies, or contraindications will be excluded.
Study Groups:
- Control Group (n=23): Will receive conventional musculoskeletal treatment.
- Intervention Group (n=23): Will receive the same conventional treatment plus mobilization of the radial nerve and its interfaces.
Primary Outcomes:
- Pain (NPRS).
- Pain and functionality (PRTEE).
- Pressure pain threshold (Algometry).
- Pain-free grip strength (Dynamometry).
- Central sensitization (CSI). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, one week after the last treatment, and 3 months after the last treatment.
- Conditions
- Tennis Elbow, Physical Therapy Modalities
- Being tested
- Forearm massage, Pressure release for forearm trigger points, Mulligan mobilization with movement technique, Radial Nerve Neurodynamic Mobilization, Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real)
- Medical subject headings
- Tennis Elbow
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Forearm massageOther
Also called Soft Tissue Mobilization of the Forearm
A general massage of the forearm will be performed. The physical therapist perform deep, longitudinal strokes. Pressure will be maintained at a level the patient finds comfortable for 3 minutes.
Pressure release for forearm trigger pointsOther
Also called Trigger point therapy for the forearm, Ischemic compression of forearm trigger point
Pressure will be applied to trigger points in the forearm. This will be done in three sets of 30-second applications, with 30 seconds of rest between each.
Mulligan mobilization with movement techniqueOther
Also called Mobilization with Movement (MWM)
A lateromedial glide will be performed. The technique will be applied for three sets of 10 repetitions, with 30 seconds of rest between each set.
Radial Nerve Neurodynamic MobilizationOther
Also called Radial Nerve Glides
Three sets of 30 nerve glides will be performed at a rhythm of one second of tension followed by one second of rest. There will be 30 seconds of rest between sets.
Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real)Other
Also called Diacutaneous fibrolysis
A real technique of Diacutaneous fibrolysis will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes.
Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham)Other
A sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis technique (skin pinch) will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), neurodynamic mobilization, and a real Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Forearm massage; Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points; Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique; Other: Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real) |
| Control Group | Sham comparator | The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and a Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks. Receives: Other: Forearm massage; Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points; Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique; Other: Radial Nerve Neurodynamic Mobilization; Other: Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Score from 0 to 10. Zero is equivalent to no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Secondary outcomes (7)
Pain and Functional Disability
Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation. Score from 0 to 100. Higher score indicates more pain and functional disability and zero indicates no pain and disability.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Handgrip
Grip strength is assessed in kilograms. The value used is the average of three repetitions.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - Elbow
Pressure pain threshold at the elbow. The lowest intensity of pressure that the subject perceives as pain when applied to the lateral epicondyle is recorded. The value used will be in kilograms per square centimeter.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - short radial extensor
Pressure pain threshold at the Short radial extensor.The lowest intensity of pressure that the subject perceives as pain when applied to the short radial extensor is used. The value used will be in kilograms per square centimeter.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - Radial nerve
Pressure pain threshold at the radial nerve. It is used to record the lowest intensity of pressure that the subject perceives as pain when applied to the radial nerve tunnel. The value used will be in kilograms per square centimeter.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Central sensitization syndrome
Central Sensitization Inventory. The questionnaire is scored on a scale from 0 to 100. A score above 40 is considered to indicate central sensitization.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Subjective perception of clinical evolution
Global Rating of Change scale. The scale consists of 15 points, ranging from -7 ("Much worse") to +7 ("Much better"). For clinical interpretation, values below "Somewhat better" or "Somewhat worse" are considered clinically unchanged. Values greater than or equal to "Somewhat better" are considered clinically improved, and values greater than "Somewhat worse" are considered clinically worsened.
Measured: From the 4 week to the end of study at 16 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion26 Apr 2026
- Study completion27 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Tennis ElbowStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Treatment protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Carlos López de Celis, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07146620
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CER: FIS-2021-11
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 4 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Radial Nerve Mobilization Techniques and Their Interfaces for Treating Chronic Epicondylalgia
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07146620
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CER: FIS-2021-11
- Conditions
- Tennis Elbow, Physical Therapy Modalities
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Effectiveness of radial nerve mobilization techniques and their interfaces for treating chronic epicondylalgia
Intervention: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will evaluate the effectiveness of adding radial nerve and its interface mobilization techniques to conventional musculoskeletal treatment.
Participants: Patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of chronic epicondylalgia and a positive radial nerve neurodynamic test. Those with previous infiltrations, concomitant pathologies, or contraindications will be excluded.
Study Groups:
- Control Group (n=23): Will receive conventional musculoskeletal treatment.
- Intervention Group (n=23): Will receive the same conventional treatment plus mobilization of the radial nerve and its interfaces.
Primary Outcomes:
- Pain (NPRS).
- Pain and functionality (PRTEE).
- Pressure pain threshold (Algometry).
- Pain-free grip strength (Dynamometry).
- Central sensitization (CSI). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, one week after the last treatment, and 3 months after the last treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Treatment protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and Diacutaneous Fibrolysis.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Other: Forearm massage, Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points, Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique, Other: Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real)The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), neurodynamic mobilization, and a real Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks. |
| Control Group | Sham comparator | Other: Forearm massage, Other: Pressure release for forearm trigger points, Other: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique, Other: Radial Nerve Neurodynamic Mobilization, Other: Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham)The subjects in this group will receive a physical therapy protocol based on massage therapy, pressure release of myofascial trigger points, manual mobilization technique (Mulligan), and a Sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization). The intervention will be administered once per week for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age: Over 18 years old.
- Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylalgia.
- Chronic epicondylalgia symptoms for at least 3 months.
- Positive radial nerve neurodynamic test
- Signed informed consent form.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Infiltrations for CE within at least 3 months prior to the study.
- Concomitant problems or mobility issues of the upper limb or cervical spine.
- Contraindications specific to Diacutaneous Fibrolysis or neural mobilization.
- Difficulty understanding and signing the informed consent form.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm massageAlso: Soft Tissue Mobilization of the ForearmA general massage of the forearm will be performed. The physical therapist perform deep, longitudinal strokes. Pressure will be maintained at a level the patient finds comfortable for 3 minutes. | Other | Control Group, Intervention Group |
| Pressure release for forearm trigger pointsAlso: Trigger point therapy for the forearm, Ischemic compression of forearm trigger pointPressure will be applied to trigger points in the forearm. This will be done in three sets of 30-second applications, with 30 seconds of rest between each. | Other | Control Group, Intervention Group |
| Mulligan mobilization with movement techniqueAlso: Mobilization with Movement (MWM)A lateromedial glide will be performed. The technique will be applied for three sets of 10 repetitions, with 30 seconds of rest between each set. | Other | Control Group, Intervention Group |
| Radial Nerve Neurodynamic MobilizationAlso: Radial Nerve GlidesThree sets of 30 nerve glides will be performed at a rhythm of one second of tension followed by one second of rest. There will be 30 seconds of rest between sets. | Other | Control Group |
| Diacutaneous fibrolysis (Real)Also: Diacutaneous fibrolysisA real technique of Diacutaneous fibrolysis will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes. | Other | Intervention Group |
| Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (Sham)A sham Diacutaneous Fibrolysis technique (skin pinch) will be applied to the forearm region for 5 minutes. | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Score from 0 to 10. Zero is equivalent to no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.
7 secondary outcomes
Pain and Functional Disability
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Handgrip
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - Elbow
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - short radial extensor
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Pressure pain threshold - Radial nerve
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Central sensitization syndrome
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.
Subjective perception of clinical evolution
Time frame: From the 4 week to the end of study at 16 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Forearm massage, Pressure release for forearm trigger points and Mulligan mobilization with movement technique in people with Tennis Elbow and Physical Therapy Modalities, run by Universitat Internacional de Catalunya at 1 site in Spain.
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 5 inclusion and 4 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 2026. 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 Spain. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment (4 weeks), and to the end of the study at 16 weeks.). 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 4 May 2026.