The Effectiveness of Autologous Blood Injection and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Resistant Tennis Elbow Syndrome

Abstract

Background: In this research project, our aim was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of autologous blood transfusion (ABI) and dry needling techniques in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis. Methods: This study was performed as a randomized clinical trial on 32 patients with refractory or recurrent lateral epicondylitis. After enrolling in the study, patients were divided into two treatment groups. In the first group, patients were treated with dry needling method and in the second group, with ABI. Patients' pain was measured and compared by two methods of visual analog scale (VAS) and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) before the interventions, and 1 and 3 months after the intervention. Findings: Based on both criteria, 1 and 3 months after treatment, there was significant reduction in pain in both blood transfusion and dry needling groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in reducing pain over time based on VAS and PRTEE criteria. Conclusion: Pain scores according to both VAS and PRTEE criteria significantly decreased in both groups at 1 and 3 months after the interventions. © 2022 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.