Appendix 1. Ovid MEDLINE search strategy

1. randomized controlled trial.pt.

2. controlled clinical trial.pt.

3. randomized.ab.

4. placebo.ab.

5. drug therapy.fs.

6. randomly.ab.

7. trial.ab.

8. groups.ab.

9. or/1‐8

10. exp animals/ not humans.sh.

11. 9 not 10

12. exp Elbow Tendinopathy/

13. (Lateral adj2 epicondylitis).tw.

14. (tennis adj2 elbow).tw.

15. (lateral adj2 epicondylalgia).tw.

16. (lateral adj2 elbow).tw.

17. (elbow adj2 pain).tw.

18. (elbow adj3 tendinopathy).tw.

19. (elbow adj3 tendinitis).tw.

20. or/12‐19

21. exp rehabilitation/

22. exp physical therapy techniques/

23. exp ultrasonography, interventional/

24. (physiotherap$ or physical therap$ or ultrasound or ultrasonograph$ or TNS or TENS or shockwave or electrotherap$).mp.

25. or/21‐24

26. 11 and 20 and 25