Comparative Effect of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization on Pain, Strength, Range of Motion, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: Protocol for Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to describe a study protocol that will aim to assess the effectiveness of adding dry needling or neural mobilization to conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

METHODS

We propose to conduct a 2-group, participant-blinded, randomized clinical trial with recruitment of 36 participants with lateral epicondylitis from a recognized super-speciality tertiary care hospital. After fulfilling eligibility criteria, consenting participants will be randomized to either a dry needling group or a neural mobilization group, both with conventional therapy as well. The outcome measures will be the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation questionnaire, pain pressure threshold, grip strength, and range of motion.

RESULTS

Data analysis will be done by Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired t test and Mann-Whitney U test or independent t test. The significance level will be set at 0.05. All outcome measures will be recorded at baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention.

CONCLUSION

This study protocol will provide data regarding the effects of dry needling and neural mobilization in people with lateral epicondylitis.