Mesotherapy versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy for tennis elbow

Comparison of the Efficacy of Mesotherapy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial

NA · Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital · NCT07043335

This trial will test whether mesotherapy works as well as extracorporeal shock wave therapy to reduce pain and improve function in adults (18–65) with tennis elbow.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorHaydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT07043335 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, single-blind trial enrolled adults with unilateral lateral epicondylitis and randomized them by closed envelope to receive five weekly sessions of either mesotherapy or extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). Pain and function were measured before treatment, 30 minutes after the final session, and at 12 weeks using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), and a Short Form health survey. Key exclusions included recent elbow injections or physical therapy, certain comorbidities, pregnancy, electronic implants, and BMI > 35. The trial took place at the outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic of Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital in Istanbul.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with unilateral lateral epicondylitis for at least six weeks who can attend five weekly outpatient treatment sessions and do not have the listed exclusions are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with recent elbow injections or physical therapy, prior elbow surgery or fracture, chronic inflammatory disease, active infection, coagulation disorders, pacemakers or electronic implants, pregnancy, cervical radiculopathy, BMI > 35, or other listed exclusions were not included and are unlikely to benefit from the comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, mesotherapy could provide an alternative treatment option that reduces pain and improves arm function for people with tennis elbow.

How similar studies have performed: Prior trials of ESWT for tennis elbow have shown mixed but generally favorable results, whereas mesotherapy has far fewer high-quality comparative data and remains less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Aged between 18 and 65 years
* Pain and tenderness in the unilateral lateral epicondyle for ≥6 weeks
* Clinically diagnosed with Lateral Epicondylitis
* Patients without cognitive deficits who can follow verbal instructions Exclusion Criteria
* Receiving an interventional injection in the elbow region within the last 3 months
* Receiving physical therapy in the last 3 months
* Receiving regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment in the last 2 weeks
* History of fracture or surgery in the affected elbow region
* Chronic inflammatory diseases
* Acute infection
* History of malignancy
* Coagulation disorders
* Pregnancy
* Presence of a pacemaker or electronic implants
* Cervical radiculopathy and entrapment neuropathy
* Drug allergies
* BMI \> 35

Where this trial is running

Istanbul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Lateral Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow, elbow pain, mesotherapy, lateral epicondylitis, extracorporeal shock wave therapy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.