Effects Compressive Tissue Flossing on Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy in US Service Members

Brooke Army Medical Center35 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this research study will be to assess the effects of a compressive tissue flossing (CTF) program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. Dependent variables will be the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), decrease their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, increase their maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity (UE). Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the first CTF intervention, and at the 1-week follow-up, for a total of 3 measurements.

The purpose of this research study will be to assess the effects of a compressive tissue flossing (CTF) program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. I hypothesize that tissue flossing with a band for a 2-minute session daily will decrease patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), decrease their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, increase their maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity (UE). Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the first CTF intervention, and at the 1-week follow-up, for a total of 3 measurements. If this method is shown to acutely decrease the symptoms of LET, it would give occupational therapists a potential home exercise program that is easy to initiate and only takes 2 minutes per day for patients to perform. This could prove to be an effective and low-cost method for service members to treat elbow pain symptoms. This technique could be used in austere environments where traditional musculoskeletal rehabilitation may not be available. Specific Aim 1: Assess the acute effects of compressive tissue flossing on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. I will accomplish this by recording the patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale, their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation outcome measure score, and their maximal grip strength in the affected UE before CTF, immediately after CTF, and at the 1-week follow-up after completing tissue flossing daily for 2 minutes. I will compare the outcomes from each measurement to evaluate the effects of CTF on lateral elbow pain symptoms.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Conditions

Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

Interventions

Compressive tissue floss bandDEVICE

Compressive tissue flossing (CTF) is a compressive technique that uses a latex elastic band to compress the tissues and restrict the circulation of fluids in the targeted area for a short time. CTF acts on the mechanoreceptors in the underlying fascial layers, causing blood reperfusion of the compressed tissue, and/or causing fascial shearing and the sliding potential of the fascia to be restored (Starrett \& Cordoza, 2015). Proposed benefits from references include improving joint mobility in the joints of the limbs (Starrett \& Cordoza, 2015), improving muscular power, and decreasing pain with motion (Angelopoulos et al., 2021) (Cage et al., 2022) (Jianhong et al., 2021).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * United States military service members stationed at JBSA between the ages of 18 to 65 * Report of lateral elbow pain * Can perform either a modified push-up or push-up for 1 minute. Exclusion Criteria: * Under 18 years old or over 65 years old * Recent surgical treatment of the involved upper extremity * Current fracture of the involved upper extremity * Open wounds at the treatment area * History of skin diseases * Tumors at the treatment area * History of a peripheral vascular condition * History of chronic inflammatory processes * Latex allergy * History of varicose veins * History of vein inflammation * History of thrombosis * Diagnosed with diabetes * Diagnosed with cardiac insufficiency Stage C or D * Diagnosed with lymphedema * Currently taking blood thinners * Currently receiving high-dose corticosteroids * Currently receiving other therapy for the elbow pain * Presently diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy

Locations (1)

Brooke Army Medical Center

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale

This pain scale assesses the participant's perceived pain on a scale from 0-10. ) being no pain and 10 being as bad as the pain could possibly be. A participant rating their pain lower post-intervention would indicate a positive outcome.

Time frame: 1 week

Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation

Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 100. 0 indicates that lateral elbow pain has no effect on the participant, whereas an increased score indicates the participant's lateral elbow pain has an increased effect on ability to perform activities and a worse outcome.

Time frame: 1 week

Maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity

Maximal grip strength will be recorded by the participant squeezing a calibrated dynamometer, which is a measurement tool used to calculate grip strength in pounds per square inch. The amount of grip strength generated in pounds per square inch in the affected upper extremity will be compared to maximal grip strength after the intervention is implemented day 1 and after 1 week.

Time frame: 1 week

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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