Shock wave plus shoulder moves: new hope for tennis elbow?

NCT ID NCT07238413

Symptom relief Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether adding scapular (shoulder blade) stabilization exercises to standard shock wave therapy can reduce pain and improve strength and quality of life in people with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Researchers will enroll 48 adults aged 18-65 who have had symptoms for at least 3 months. Participants will receive shock wave therapy once a week for 5 weeks, plus either standard exercises or additional scapular exercises twice a week for 8 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: extracorporeal shock wave therapy and scapular stabilization exercises
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a more effective, non-surgical treatment plan for tennis elbow that improves pain and daily function.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The added exercises may not provide significant extra benefit over standard care.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 48 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Nov 2025

Expected to finish

Feb 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 18 and 65 years. * Diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis by a physician, with positive Mill's, Cozen's, or Thomsen tests. * Experiencing pain and tenderness over and around the lateral epicondyle for at least 3 months, with symptoms exacerbated by resisted elbow extension, wrist extension, gripping, and supination. * Willing to voluntarily participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * • Individuals with serious systemic or cardiovascular diseases that contraindicate exercise of the hand and upper extremity. * Those diagnosed with upper extremity entrapment neuropathies. * Patients with a diagnosis of malignancy. * Individuals with open wounds on the hand or upper extremity. * Pregnant women or those suspected of being pregnant. * Patients who have received physiotherapy and/or injection treatments within the last 6 weeks. * Patients with diabetes mellitus, rheumatologic diseases, or neurological disorders. * Individuals who have undergone upper extremity surgery or had an upper extremity fracture within the last 6 months. * Patients with coagulation disorders or those receiving anticoagulant therapy. * Individuals with conditions causing degenerative changes in the hand and upper extremity. * Patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, medial epicondylitis, radiohumeral bursitis, or cervical disc pathology. * Patients using analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications other than acetaminophen (paracetamol).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

epicondylitis Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Lateral epicondylitis Tennis elbow

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Shock wave plus shoulder moves: new hope for tennis elbow?

What the study statuses mean