Golfer's ElbowDN-NM-GENCT07643740
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING AND NEURAL MOBILIZATION ON PAIN, STRENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION IN PATIENTS WITH GOLFER'S ELBOW
A study testing Dry needling and Neural mobilization in people with Golfer's Elbow and Medial Epicondylitis, run by Green International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization in patients diagnosed with Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis). The study will evaluate the effects of both interventions on pain intensity, grip strength, and range of motion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Golfer's Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis
- What is being tested?
- Dry needling and Neural mobilization
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 29 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2025to 10 May 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 to 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- • Both male and female patients were included.
- Diagnosis of Medial Epicondylitis by spiral test clinically confirmed by orthopaedic.
- pain is limited on medial epicondyle
- Pain reproduced with resisted wrist flexion and/or forearm pronation.
- Aged between 18-40 years
- Acute to Subacute stage (≥ 6 weeks and ≤ 12 months
- NPRS score ≥ 4/10 at baseline
Who cannot join
- • History of Other elbow pathologies e.g (Lateral epicondylitis , Olecranon bursitis ,Ligament injuries)
- Radial or ulnar neuropathies not associated with medial epicondylitis.
- Systemic or inflammatory conditions affecting tendons, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes with neuropathy (unless controlled and neuropathy absent)
- Previous surgical procedures around the elbow or wrist within the past 6 months
- Corticosteroid injection, PRP or shockwave therapy within the last 3 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization in patients diagnosed with Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis). The study will evaluate the effects of both interventions on pain intensity, grip strength, and range of motion. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the Dry Needling group or the Neural Mobilization group and treated over a specified intervention period. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after treatment to determine which intervention provides greater improvement in pain reduction, muscle strength, and functional mobility. The results may contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for managing Golfer's Elbow
Read the detailed description
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and tenderness over the medial epicondyle of the elbow, often associated with repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation activities. The condition can lead to decreased grip strength, restricted range of motion, and impaired functional performance, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
Various physiotherapy interventions have been used for the management of Golfer's Elbow, including Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization. Dry Needling is a technique that targets myofascial trigger points to reduce pain, improve blood flow, and restore muscle function. Neural Mobilization aims to restore the normal mobility and physiological function of peripheral nerves by reducing neural tension and improving neural mechanics.
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization in reducing pain, improving grip strength, and increasing range of motion in patients with Golfer's Elbow. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. Baseline assessments will be conducted before treatment, followed by post-intervention assessments after completion of the treatment protocol.
Primary outcome measures will include pain intensity, assessed using a validated pain scale, while secondary outcomes will include grip strength and elbow/wrist range of motion. Data collected will be analyzed to determine whether one intervention demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to the other.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of these commonly used physiotherapy interventions and may assist clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment strategies for patients with Golfer's Elbow.
- Conditions
- Golfer's Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis
- Being tested
- Dry needling, Neural mobilization
- Keywords
- Golfer's elbow, Medial Epicondylitis, Dry needling, Neural mobilisation, Pain, Grip strength, Range of motion, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Sciences
- Medical subject headings
- Elbow Tendinopathy, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry needlingProcedure or surgery
Participants will receive dry needling to the affected forearm muscles along with conventional physiotherapy. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 6 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Outcomes will include pain, grip strength, and range of motion
Neural mobilizationProcedure or surgery
Participants will receive neural mobilization techniques along with conventional physiotherapy. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 6 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Outcomes will include pain, grip strength, and range of motion.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needling | Experimental | Participants will receive dry needling combined with conventional physiotherapy twice weekly for 6 weeks Receives: Procedure: Dry needling; Procedure: Neural mobilization |
| Neural mobilization | Experimental | Participants will receive neural mobilization combined with conventional physiotherapy twice weekly for 6 weeks Receives: Procedure: Dry needling; Procedure: Neural mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Grip strength
Grip strength will be measured using a hand dynamometer. Higher values indicate greater muscle strength.
Measured: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
Range of motion
Elbow and wrist range of motion will be measured using a standard goniometer. Higher values indicate improved joint mobility.
Measured: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2025
- Primary completion5 Mar 2026
- Study completion10 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Golfer's 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
- Participants with Golfer's Elbow will be randomly allocated into two parallel groups. One group will receive Dry Needling, while the other group will receive Neural Mobilization. Outcomes including pain, grip strength, and range of motion will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The effectiveness of both interventions will be compared between groups.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Green International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Abeela Ashraf, Green International University
- Investigators
- Prof Dr Fahad Tanveer, Principal investigator, Green international University lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07643740
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GIU/REC/26-41
- Acronym
- DN-NM-GE
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 11 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Due to patients privacy and confidentiality , IPD will not be shared
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING AND NEURAL MOBILIZATION ON PAIN, STRENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION IN PATIENTS WITH GOLFER'S ELBOW
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07643740
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DN-NM-GE / GIU/REC/26-41
- Conditions
- Golfer's Elbow, Medial Epicondylitis
- Keywords
- Golfer's elbow, Medial Epicondylitis, Dry needling, Neural mobilisation, Pain, Grip strength, Range of motion, Physiotherapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 29 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Green International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Jun 2026 (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.
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization in patients diagnosed with Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis). The study will evaluate the effects of both interventions on pain intensity, grip strength, and range of motion. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the Dry Needling group or the Neural Mobilization group and treated over a specified intervention period. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after treatment to determine which intervention provides greater improvement in pain reduction, muscle strength, and functional mobility. The results may contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for managing Golfer's Elbow
Detailed description
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and tenderness over the medial epicondyle of the elbow, often associated with repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation activities. The condition can lead to decreased grip strength, restricted range of motion, and impaired functional performance, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
Various physiotherapy interventions have been used for the management of Golfer's Elbow, including Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization. Dry Needling is a technique that targets myofascial trigger points to reduce pain, improve blood flow, and restore muscle function. Neural Mobilization aims to restore the normal mobility and physiological function of peripheral nerves by reducing neural tension and improving neural mechanics.
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization in reducing pain, improving grip strength, and increasing range of motion in patients with Golfer's Elbow. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. Baseline assessments will be conducted before treatment, followed by post-intervention assessments after completion of the treatment protocol.
Primary outcome measures will include pain intensity, assessed using a validated pain scale, while secondary outcomes will include grip strength and elbow/wrist range of motion. Data collected will be analyzed to determine whether one intervention demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to the other.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of these commonly used physiotherapy interventions and may assist clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment strategies for patients with Golfer's Elbow.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants with Golfer's Elbow will be randomly allocated into two parallel groups. One group will receive Dry Needling, while the other group will receive Neural Mobilization. Outcomes including pain, grip strength, and range of motion will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The effectiveness of both interventions will be compared between groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needling | Experimental | Procedure: Dry needling, Procedure: Neural mobilizationParticipants will receive dry needling combined with conventional physiotherapy twice weekly for 6 weeks |
| Neural mobilization | Experimental | Procedure: Dry needling, Procedure: Neural mobilizationParticipants will receive neural mobilization combined with conventional physiotherapy twice weekly for 6 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- • Both male and female patients were included.
- pain is limited on medial epicondyle
- Pain reproduced with resisted wrist flexion and/or forearm pronation.
- Aged between 18-40 years
- Acute to Subacute stage (≥ 6 weeks and ≤ 12 months
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- • History of Other elbow pathologies e.g (Lateral epicondylitis , Olecranon bursitis ,Ligament injuries)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needlingParticipants will receive dry needling to the affected forearm muscles along with conventional physiotherapy. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 6 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Outcomes will include pain, grip strength, and range of motion | Procedure or surgery | Dry needling, Neural mobilization |
| Neural mobilizationParticipants will receive neural mobilization techniques along with conventional physiotherapy. Treatment will be administered twice weekly for 6 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Outcomes will include pain, grip strength, and range of motion. | Procedure or surgery | Dry needling, Neural mobilization |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity.
2 secondary outcomes
Grip strength
Time frame: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
Range of motion
Time frame: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention
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 11 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Due to patients privacy and confidentiality , IPD will not be shared
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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.
Prof Dr Fahad Tanveer principal investigator
Green international University lahore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry needling and Neural mobilization in people with Golfer's Elbow and Medial Epicondylitis, run by Green International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 7 inclusion and 6 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 11 Jun 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 Pakistan. 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?
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: Baseline and at 6 weeks post-intervention). 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 11 Jun 2026.