This study aimed to find the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) using Ergon Tools on pain, grip strength and functional activity among patients diagnosed with Lateral epicondylitis. The study concluded that IASTM is effective in improving pain, grip strength and functional activity in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Background: Lateral Epicondylitis is a type of "repetitive strain injury" that causes pain on the lateral portion of the elbow, especially while gripping and applying resistance to the forearm's extensor muscles, both men and women are equally affected by it. Traditional Physical Therapy has failed to improve the disorders caused by LE, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization is a new approach for its treatment a lot of tools are being used and Ergon Tools are among one of them, very less data is available for its efficacy in lateral epicondylitis patients. Objective: To compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization using Ergon Technique on pain, grip strength and functional activity in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Methodology: 72 individuals with lateral epicondylitis pre-diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon, are assessed from Sikander Medical Complex, Gujranwala. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, the participants are randomly divided into two groups, 36 participants receiving IASTM using Ergon Tools and 36 participants received conventional physical therapy. Both groups receive treatment 2 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures are pain (VAS), grip strength (handheld dynamometer), and functional mobility (PRTEE) collected at the baseline, 1st week, and 4th week.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
72
Tools designed for soft tissue mobilization
Moist Hot pack, Ultrasound, Deep Friction Massage, Stretching and Strengthening Exercises.
Sikander Medical Complex
Guiranwala, Pujab, Pakistan
Pain (mild to severe)
Visual Analogue Scale The score is calculated by measuring the distance (mm) between the "no pain" anchor and the patient's mark on a 10-cm line with a ruler, yielding a range of 0-100. A higher score implies that the pain is more intense and a lower score suggests the intensity of pain to be milder. VAS ratings of 0 to 4 mm can be considered no pain; 5 to 44 mm, mild pain; 45 to 74 mm, moderate pain; and 75 to 100 mm, severe pain
Time frame: 4 weeks
Grip Strength
Digital Hand Held Dynamometer The best result from several trials for each hand is recorded, with at least 15 seconds recovery between each effort. The values listed below (in kg and lbs) give a guide to expected scores for adults. These values are the average of the best scores of each hand. See more Hand Grip Strength Norms. Other protocols will just use the score from the dominant hand, or compare the left and right hand results. See also examples of some actual athlete results.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Functional Activity
Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation It consists of pain subscale and functional subscale, total score is calculated by adding Pain Subscale and Function Subscale then calculated as, Best Score= 0 Worst Score = 100 (pain and disability contribute equally to score)
Time frame: 4 weeks
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