Percutaneous Electrolysis in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<jats:p>Few studies have considered the effects of percutaneous electrolysis (PE) in the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia (LE). For this reason, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of PE with an evidence-based approach—trigger point dry needling (TDN)—in patients with LE. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in which 32 participants with LE were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, the PE group (n = 16) and the TDN group (n = 16). Both groups received four therapy sessions and an eccentric exercise program to be performed daily. The numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), pressure pain thresholds (PPT), quality of life, and range of motion were measured before treatment, at the end of treatment, and at one- and three-month follow-ups. Significant between-group mean differences were found after treatment for NPRS (p &lt; 0.001) and flexion movement (p = 0.006). At one-month follow-up, significant mean differences between groups were found for NPRS (p &lt; 0.001), PPT (p = 0.021), and flexion (p = 0.036). At three-months follow-up, significant mean differences between groups were found for NPRS (p &lt; 0.001), PPT (p = 0.004), and flexion (p = 0.003). This study provides evidence that PE could be more effective than TDN for short- and medium-term improvement of pain and PPTs in LE when added to an eccentric exercise program.</jats:p>

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis in Dancers with Chronic Soleus Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Also, Abat et al [ 11 , 12 ] showed good clinical and functional in patellar tendinopathy when they applied US-guided PNE combined with an eccentric exercise program. Rodríguez-Huguet et al [ 15 ] reported that degenerative structural changes (a symptom of chronic lateral epicondylitis) were reduced after eccentric and stretching exercise associated with US-guided PNE. The authors of this study suggest that the inclusion of PNE in physiotherapy treatments not only has effects on pain but also on performance in dancers.…”

“…e number of PNE applications in the different studies is varied [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. In the case of chronic muscle injury, only two interventions were performed due to the clinical experience of the authors [24].…”

“…e needle is placed in the injured soft tissue using ultrasound. is procedure has mainly been applied to treat tendinopathies [11][12][13][14][15][16], plantar fasciosis [17], whiplash syndrome [18], subacromial pain syndrome [19,20], and temporomandibular myofascial pain [21]. However, little is known regarding its effectiveness in muscle injuries.…”

Changes in Gene Expression Associated with Collagen Regeneration and Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix after Percutaneous Electrolysis on Collagenase-Induced Achilles Tendinopathy in an Experimental Animal Model: A Pilot Study

“…Therefore, current results should be considered in the investigated scenario. Finally, the application of percutaneous electrolysis is usually ultrasound-guided [16][17][18][19][20][21]. In the current study, the technique was not ultrasound-guided, which could have influenced the results.…”

“…Percutaneous electrolysis consists of the application of a continuous (galvanic) electrical current through a filament needle in a targeted tissue, usually tendon or muscle. There is preliminary evidence suggesting that application of percutaneous electrolysis is effective for patellar [16], plantar [17], elbow [18], or supraspinatus [19,20] tendinopathies; although more clinical trials are needed.…”