The effectiveness of therapeutic laser treatment for elbow tendonitis (tennis elbow)

The efficacy of therapeutic class IV laser treatment for epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN04330904

Enrollment

Registered

2013-01-16

Start date

2009-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-10-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Tendinopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon Musculoskeletal Diseases Lateral epicondylitis

Interventions

The area to be treated was demarcated at ½ the distance from the lateral epicondyle to the ulnar styloid process and 1/3 of the distance from the lateral epicondyle to the acromion process. The laser

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults (between the ages of 18 and 65 years of age), either sex 2. Diagnosis of epicondylitis due to injury to the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Individuals with tattoos, melanoma or pigmented areas around the treatment area 2. Those taking corticosteroids 3. Pregnant 4. With hemorrhagic or cardiac disease 5. Photosensitivity 6. Individuals who had the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon injected within 3 months prior to the study were also excluded to ensure that there was no influence of prior treatment on the current investigation

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The primary outcome measures included both subjective and objective measures to indicate a restoration of strength and function of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon from pre-treatment to pre-injury levels. All evaluations were performed by blinded Sport Medicine physicians pre-treatment (baseline), immediately post-completion of the treatment series, and again at three months, six months and 12 months post-treatment. These measures included: 1. Reduction in the rating of pain at rest on using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain) 2. Increased strength on extension (scale of 1-5 with 5 being full strength), and strength on flexion from three maximal trials using the using the Smedley III Digital Grip Strength Tester (in kg) 3. Pain during maximal contractions was also rated using the VAS 10-point scale	—

Measure

Time frame

The primary outcome measures included both subjective and objective measures to indicate a restoration of strength and function of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon from pre-treatment to pre-injury levels. All evaluations were performed by blinded Sport Medicine physicians pre-treatment (baseline), immediately post-completion of the treatment series, and again at three months, six months and 12 months post-treatment. These measures included: 1. Reduction in the rating of pain at rest on using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain) 2. Increased strength on extension (scale of 1-5 with 5 being full strength), and strength on flexion from three maximal trials using the using the Smedley III Digital Grip Strength Tester (in kg) 3. Pain during maximal contractions was also rated using the VAS 10-point scale

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
No secondary outcome measures	—

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026