NCT07385677 · University of Vermont
Comparing the Effectiveness of the 'Think in Nerve Length and Layers' (TINLL) Approach to Traditional Treatment for Patients With Lateral Elbow Pain.
What this study is about
Lateral elbow pain can significantly limit people's ability to do the activities they want or need to do. We want to explore if one treatment technique is better than another for people with lateral elbow pain. You will be placed in a traditional treatment group or in a non-traditional treatment group. Your placement in the group will depend on past treatments you have had for this pain.
View original scientific description
Lateral elbow pain can significantly limit people's ability to do the activities they want or need to do. We want to explore if one treatment technique is better than another for people with lateral elbow pain. You will be placed in a traditional treatment group or in a non-traditional treatment group. Your placement in the group will depend on past treatments you have had for this pain. Before you start treatment, you will be given four tests: 1) a grip strength test, 2) a pinch test, 3) a pain level survey, and 4) a functional survey. These four tests will take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. These four tests are common tests given to people with elbow pain. You will be given these four tests: * At the beginning, before you start treatment * At 2-weeks * At 4-weeks * At the end of your treatment Traditional treatment group: You will receive treatment 1x/week for 4-6 weeks. The traditional treatment group will consist of the following treatments: * stretching and strengthening of the wrist extensors * soft tissue work to the forearm muscles * joint mobilization at the elbow * rigid and elastic taping with focus on the wrist extensor muscles * ergonomic strategies * transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) * wrist splinting Non-traditional (TINLL) treatment group: You will receive treatment 1x/every 1-2-weeks for 4-6 weeks.
Interventions
OTHER
TINLL techniques for relieving radial nerve tension
1x/week for 4-6 weeks or less if patient responds well to the treatment
OTHER
Traditional techniques to stretch and strengthen muscles
1x/week for 4-6 weeks unless patients responds well to treatment
Primary outcome measures
Patient rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE)
Time frame: Day 1, 2-week appointment, 4-week appointment
15-item, self-report questionnaire designed to measure pain and disability in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow).
pain-free grip strength
Time frame: Day 1, 2-week appointment, 4-week appointment
pain-free grip strength using Jamar dynamometer
numeric rating scale for pain
Time frame: Day 1, 2-week appointment, 4-week appointment
pain scale
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- understanding of English language; adults 18 years of age or older
- referral for lateral sided elbow pain or lateral epicondylitis
- subjects positive on one of the following (tenderness over lateral epicondyle with palpation
- pain with stretch of long wrist extensors
- pain with resisted wrist or middle finger extension)
Exclusion criteria
- subjects unable to cognitively follow directions
- have a legally-mandated reporter
- subjects scheduled for surgery, or post-up surgical patients
- subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome/medial elbow pain,
- subjects who received Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or percutaneous needle tenotomy (PNT)
Where
- South Burlington, Vermont
Related conditions & keywords
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Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Feb 4, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations