Comparing the Effects of TECAR and DN Added to Routine Physical Therapy on Elbow Pain and Function in Patients with Tennis Elbow Syndrome: 3 group randomized controlled trial
Comparison of the effects of TECAR therapy and dry needling, in addition to routine physiotherapy, on pain intensity and elbow function in patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
Design
A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial will be conducted on 40 patients.
Settings and conduct
In this study, patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) referred by an orthopedic specialist to the physiotherapy clinic of Dr. Heshmat Teaching Hospital will be selected based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly allocated to three groups (control, experimental 1, and experimental 2) using block randomization, where each group will receive its corresponding intervention.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Patients aged over 20 years with a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis presenting with lateral elbow pain and tenderness aggravated by active wrist extension and a positive Cozen’s test will be included, while those with local injection at the affected site, diabetes or hemophilia, pregnancy, or physician-confirmed peripheral nerve entrapment or cervical radiculopathy will be excluded.
Intervention groups
Experimental Group 1 will receive routine physiotherapy plus TECAR therapy (capacitive mode, 480 kHz) for 10 sessions, while Experimental Group 2 will receive routine physiotherapy plus dry needling every other session (5 sessions in total) over 10 sessions.
Main outcome variables
Pain intensity and functional disability.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20211030052912N4
Registration date:2026-06-01, 1405/03/11
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-06-01, 1405/03/11
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-06-01, 1405/03/11
Registrant information
Name
Somaye Azarnia
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 21 7173 2824
Email address
azarnia.pt.82@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Not yet recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-08-01, 1405/05/10
Expected recruitment end date
2026-09-01, 1405/06/10
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the Effects of TECAR and DN Added to Routine Physical Therapy on Elbow Pain and Function in Patients with Tennis Elbow Syndrome: 3 group randomized controlled trial
Public title
Comparison of the effects of TECAR therapy and dry needling in patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Patients aged over 20 years with a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
2. Presence of pain and tenderness around the lateral epicondyle that is aggravated by active wrist extension.
.3. A positive Cozen’s test.
Exclusion criteria:
1. Injection in the affected area.
.2. Diabetes or hemophilia.
3. Pregnancy
4. Peripheral nerve entrapment or cervical radiculopathy confirmed by a physician.
Age
From 20 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
3
Groups that have been masked
Participant
Outcome assessor
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
After initial evaluations, patients will be randomly assigned to three groups (control, experimental 1, and experimental 2) using block randomization. Randomization will be performed via the website [www.sealedenvelope.com](http://www.sealedenvelope.com). In this method, five blocks of six participants will be generated for the three study groups. Each allocation sequence will be recorded on a card and placed inside an envelope. As patients are enrolled, the envelopes will be opened sequentially, and the assigned group for each participant will be determined.
This is a double-blind study in which both the participants and the outcome assessor will be unaware of group allocation. Randomization and outcome assessment will be conducted by an individual who is not involved in the treatment process, and the assessor will also be blinded to the type of intervention.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
In this double-blind study, both the participants and the outcome assessor will be unaware of the assigned group. Randomization and intervention will be performed by an individual who is not involved in the outcome assessment, and the assessor will remain blinded to the type of intervention.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Research Ethics Committees of Guilan university of medical sciences
Street address
Heshmat Crossroads, Dr. Heshmat Hospital
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4193955588
Approval date
2026-05-20, 1405/02/30
Ethics committee reference number
IR.GUMS.REC.1405.082
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
tennis elbow
ICD-10 code
M77.1
ICD-10 code description
Lateral epicondylitis
Primary outcomes
1
Description
pain intensity
Timepoint
Before and after 10 sessions.
Method of measurement
VAS Questionnaire
2
Description
functional disability
Timepoint
Before and after 10 sessions.
Method of measurement
PRTEE Questionnaire
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Experimental Group 1: In addition to routine physiotherapy, TECAR therapy in capacitive mode at 480 kHz will be applied for 10 sessions.
Category
Treatment - Devices
2
Description
Experimental Group 2: In addition to routine physiotherapy, dry needling will be performed every other session (a total of 5 sessions over the 10-session treatment period).
Category
Treatment - Devices
3
Description
Control Group: Participants will receive routine physiotherapy, including:* Hot pack + TENS for 15 minutes* Ultrasound at 1.5 W/cm², 1 MHz frequency, 20% duty cycle for 5 minutes* Therapeutic exercises (strengthening and stretching of the ECRB muscle and transverse friction massage) if the patient is pain-free during daily activities.