| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial
Blinding: double‐blinded,
outcome assessor was blind to intervention and placebo used
Loss to follow up:
86 enrolled, 6 drop outs in first 2 weeks (time, illness not related to elbow,
and one giving no reason). These patients were not followed up. 4 withdrawals (3 in superficial group) withdrew after 3 months due to lack of effect.
Appropriate Statistical Analysis:
Did not use intention to treat analysis |
| Participants |
82 participants
Inclusion criteria:
lateral elbow/ epicondyle pain produced by 2 or more of 4 diagnostic tests; palpation, resisted wrist extension, passive stretching, resisted finger extension
Exclusion criteria:
shoulder/neck/
thoracic dysfunction
local arthritis/
general polyarthritis
neurological abnormalities
radial nerve entrapment |
| Interventions |
Experimental group : 5 acupuncture points (L1 10, 11,12, Lu 5 & SJ 5) treated 10 times (2‐3 times weekly for 20 weeks
control group: placebo: superficial needle insertion only in identical areas & dosage as experimental group |
| Outcomes |
Assessment at baseline, at treatment conclusion, 3 & 12 month followups:
4 diagnostic inclusion criteria (see participants)
4 additional tests; pain reproduction on isometric pronation/
supination, vigorimeter test & lifting test
additional subjective question at completion using 5 point scale |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
