Botulinum Toxin Versus Active Strength Training in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

NCT ID: NCT00930709

Last Updated: 2014-12-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

103 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-03-31

Study Completion Date

2014-12-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to compare efficacy, feasibility and cost effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A injections to active nine weeks strength training and stretching program in the treatment of the chronic lateral epicondylitis.

The main hypothesis is that the botulinum toxin type A injections may enable more rapid pain relief while strength training may provide better functional results and less relapses during the follow-up.

Detailed Description

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INTRODUCTION:

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a frequent repetitive stress injury, affecting the common extensor muscles at the lateral humeral epicondyle. Lateral epicondylitis has a well-known spontaneous healing tendency. Still the prevalence of the chronic lateral epicondylitis is 1.4% in working populations causing significant occupational disability and financial burden.

Systematic reviews of the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for lateral epicondylitis present conflicting results. There are no consistent guidelines for management of the prolonged lateral epicondylitis. Progressive strengthening and stretching exercises as well as botulinum toxin type A injections have been suggested to be effective in treatment of chronic cases. However, there are only a few studies comparing different treatment modalities and botulinum toxin treatment have not been included in any of these.

The purpose of this study is to compare efficacy, feasibility and cost effectiveness of the botulinum toxin type A injections to active nine weeks strength training and stretching program in the treatment of the chronic lateral epicondylitis.

The main hypothesis is that the botulinum toxin type A injections may enable more rapid pain relief while strength training may provide better functional results and less relapses during the follow-up.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

A sample size of 120 participants with an equal drop-out rate of 15 % per group was determined in advance to detect a clinically significant 30 percentage points difference in outcome measures between the treatment groups with the minimum success rate of 65 % at the statistical significance level of 0.05 and power of 80 %.

During the recruitment process all patient newly referred to Department of PM\&R outpatient clinics in the Seinäjoki Central Hospital due to elbow pain are evaluated by the study investigators. Every eligible patient with written informed consent is recruited. A computerised random number generator is used to draw up an allocation schedule. Patients are allocated in treatment groups via opaque sealed envelopes marked according to the random schedule.

Measurements and training instructions are performed by five trained physical therapists. In addition to detailed personal training instructions given by physical therapist, illustrated instructions as well as instruction video will be provided for patients in the training group. Physical therapists instructing patients do not perform any measurements to enable blinding of assessor. Measurement devices are calibrated regularly according to the manufacturers' recommendations and quality assurance measurements with test weights are performed on regular basis.

The principal statistical analysis will be done on an intention-to-treat basis. Repeated measures of ANCOVA and Cox Proportional Hazard Regression are planned to be used as primary methods. If there will be relapses, more advanced longitudinal models such as Generalised Estimating Equations and Random Coefficient Analysis will be used.

Conditions

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Epicondylitis, Lateral Humeral Tennis Elbow

Keywords

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Botulinum Toxin Type A Exercise Randomized Controlled Trial Muscle Stretching Exercises Strength Training Treatment Outcome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Active strength training and stretching

Active strength training and stretching

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Active strength training and stretching

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Training duration 9 weeks, intensified every 3 weeks in supervision of physiotherapist. Training program includes progressive, slow, repetitive wrist and forearm stretching, eccentric muscle strengthening, occupational exercises and upper limb neural mobilization training.

Botulinum toxin type A injections

Botulinum toxin type A injections

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®, Allergan)

Intervention Type DRUG

Two injections of 10-60 units of botulinum toxin type A. Injections are administered with ENMG assisted technique at the baseline and after 13 weeks.

Interventions

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Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®, Allergan)

Two injections of 10-60 units of botulinum toxin type A. Injections are administered with ENMG assisted technique at the baseline and after 13 weeks.

Intervention Type DRUG

Active strength training and stretching

Training duration 9 weeks, intensified every 3 weeks in supervision of physiotherapist. Training program includes progressive, slow, repetitive wrist and forearm stretching, eccentric muscle strengthening, occupational exercises and upper limb neural mobilization training.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Botox®, Allergan NDC 0023-1145-01 Eccentric strength training

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* pain at the lateral side of the elbow over 3 months
* local tenderness on palpation over the lateral epicondyle
* positive Mill's sign
* lateral elbow pain progression on resisted wrist and/or middle finger extension
* involved in working life

Exclusion Criteria

* bilateral symptoms or simultaneous medial epicondylitis
* verified or suspected cervical radiculopathy or affected limb neuropathy
* congenital or acquired deformities of the elbow
* previous surgery of the elbow
* infection, dislocation, tendon ruptures, or fractures in the area
* systemic musculoskeletal or neurological disorders, incl. rheumatic diseases and fibromyalgia
* allergy, antibodies or other contraindications for botulinum toxin
* severe depression, chronic pain syndrome or somatisation disorder
* ongoing retirement process
* pregnancy or breastfeeding
* current participation in other clinical trials
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Seinajoki Central Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Aki Vainionpaa

Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Aki Vainionpää, M.D., Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seinäjoki Central Hospital

Locations

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Department of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation, Seinäjoki Central Hospital

Seinäjoki, , Finland

Site Status

Countries

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Finland

Related Links

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http://www.epshp.fi/

Seinäjoki Central Hospital homepage

Other Identifiers

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2009-009837-14

Identifier Type: EUDRACT_NUMBER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

EVO1122

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id