Lateral epicondylitis is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, affecting 1-3% of the population, typically in middle age and without gender bias. Evidence on the role of scapular strengthening in managing pain, grip strength, and functional limitations in these patients remains limited. This study investigated the impact of scapular muscle strengthening combined with conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone on these outcomes in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale, grip strength with a handheld dynamometer, and functional limitation with the patient-rated tennis elbow (PRTE) scale. The independent variables were the two treatment approaches: conventional therapy alone and conventional therapy supplemented with scapular strengthening.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
Scapular strengthening, along with conventional therapy that consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.
Conventional therapy consisted of ultrasound therapy and static stretching.
Cooperative Institute of Health Sciences, Thalassery
Kannur, Kerala, India
Pain at elbow
Pain will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. This scale has a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 10. A higher score means a worse outcome.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Grip strength
Grip strength will be measured using a Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Time frame: 4 weeks
Functional difficulty
Functional difficulty will be measured using the Patient-Reported Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTE) scale. This scale ranges from a minimum of 0 (no pain or disability) to a maximum of 100 (worst pain and disability imaginable). A higher score means a worse outcome.
Time frame: 4 weeks.
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