BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the short and long-term effects of kinesio taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) applications on pain, functionality and muscle strength in lateral epicondylitis (LE) patients, using questionnaires and ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients were randomized into three groups. The groups were given a program that consisted of nine sessions in total, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Group 1 was given KT and exercise, Group 2 was given DN and exercise, and Group 3 was given exercise alone. Pain, functional status, grip strength and the thickness and echogenicity of the common extensor tendon was evaluated before treatment, after treatment (at the end of the 3rd week) and at the 6th month. RESULTS: In intragroup evaluations, KT and DN were found to be effective in the short and long term in terms of pain, functional status, muscle strength and tendon thickness (p < 0.01). In intergroup evaluations, improvement in KT and DN groups was superior to the control group in all parameters (p < 0.05). In comparison of KT and DN, the improvements in the clinical parameters, tendon thickness, heterogeneity and elastography were significantly better in DN group in the short and long term (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The US outcomes in our study objectively demonstrated that although DN in general is superior in the treatment of LE, KT treatment is also effective.

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