Comparative Effects of Focused and Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapies on Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomised Sham-controlled Trial

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2023 May;33(5):554-559. doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2023.05.554.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of radial and focused types of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on lateral epicondylitis.

Study design: A randomised sham-controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Sports Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital, Van, Turkiye, from August 2019 to April 2020.

Methodology: Patients with acute lateral epicondylitis were randomised into focused, radial, and sham ESWT groups. The ESWT was applied for three sessions at 2-4 days intervals. All the subjects were evaluated at baseline (week 0), week 5, and 13. Patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) scores were used as outcome measures.

Results: At weeks 5 and 13, all PRTEE scores (pain, function, and total) were remarkably improved in the focused and radial groups (p<0.001), but not in the sham group (p>0.05). Focused ESWT was superior to radial ESWT for the change of pain scores from baseline to week 5 (18.8±13.9 vs. 11.8±9.1; p=0.026) and week 13 (17.8±13.1 vs. 11.7±10.5, p=0.084). Focused ESWT was more effective than radial ESWT for the change of function scores from baseline to weak 5 (17.9±12.5 vs. 11.2±9.5; p=0.025) and week 13 (16.9±11.6 vs. 10.7±10.1; p=0.032). Focused ESWT was superior to radial ESWT for the change of total scores from baseline to week 5 (36.7±25.9 vs. 23.0±17.2; p=0.021) and week 13 (34.7±24.3 vs. 22.4±18.5; p=0.044).

Conclusion: Focused and radial ESWT are effective in lateral epicondylitis. The focused ESWT is superior to the radial ESWT. Thus, focused ESWT should be preferred in lateral epicondylitis.

Key words: Lateral epicondylitis, Shock wave, Randomised sham-controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Pain
  • Pain Measurement
  • Tennis Elbow* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome