Effectiveness of Microcurrent for Treatment of Tennis Elbow
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00817232 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : January 6, 2009
Last Update Posted : June 22, 2010
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Tennis elbow is a relatively common musculoskeletal disorder that can cause significant pain and disability. Treatment of the disorder is not always successful, and it often recurs or becomes chronic. More effective management options are required. There is evidence that electric microcurrent can promote tissue healing and symptom resolution in various chronic hard and soft tissue disorders, but few human studies investigating its use with chronic tendon problems. It is an easily applied therapy with very few reports of side effects. It can be applied at home using a portable unit and, if it is clinically effective, may also prove more cost effective than other therapies.
A clinical trial is planned to evaluate the therapy but, in the absence of relevant published evidence, a preliminary study is required to look for a treatment effect and inform a power calculation for sample size, The study will also allow some investigation of dose-dependence, which is a key issue in many forms of electrotherapy. Finally it will enable evaluation of elements of the full trial protocol so that any weaknesses can be addressed before it begins.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Tennis Elbow | Device: Microcurrent (Elexoma Medic) | Phase 2 Phase 3 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 24 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Effectiveness of Microcurrent in the Treatment of Chronic Tennis Elbow - a Preliminary Trial |
Study Start Date : | December 2008 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | December 2009 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | December 2009 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Treatment 1
50 microamp amplitude
|
Device: Microcurrent (Elexoma Medic)
monophasic frequency modulated square wave current applied for 99 minutes daily for 21 days
Other Name: Elexoma Medic |
Experimental: Treatment 2
500 microamp amplitude
|
Device: Microcurrent (Elexoma Medic)
monophasic frequency modulated square wave current applied for 99 minutes daily for 21 days
Other Name: Elexoma Medic |
- Tendon pathology as indicated by sonography [ Time Frame: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]
- Patient-Rated Global Change Score [ Time Frame: 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]
- Pain Free Grip Strength [ Time Frame: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]
- Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Questionnaire [ Time Frame: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]
- Patient-Specific Functional Scale [ Time Frame: baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]
- Adverse events [ Time Frame: 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months ]

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- symptoms of tennis elbow for at least 3 months
- clinical diagnosis of tennis elbow
Exclusion Criteria:
- significant symptom improvement in previous month
- receipt of any active treatment for the condition in the previous month
- currently under the care of another health professional for tennis elbow
- current cervical radiculopathy
- other pathology affecting distal upper limb

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00817232
United Kingdom | |
University of Hertfordshire | |
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, AL10 9AB |
Responsible Party: | Leon Poltawski, University of Hertfordshire |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00817232 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
HEPEC/10/08/05 |
First Posted: | January 6, 2009 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | June 22, 2010 |
Last Verified: | August 2009 |
tennis elbow microcurrent tissue healing |
Tennis Elbow Elbow Tendinopathy Tendinopathy Muscular Diseases |
Musculoskeletal Diseases Arm Injuries Wounds and Injuries Tendon Injuries |