Comparison of Three Physiotherapy Approaches in Lateral Epicondylitis Treatment

Medipol University45 enrolled

Overview

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of physiotherapy alone (PTA), Kinesiotaping (KT) combined with physiotherapy (KTPT), and wrist rest splint combined with physiotherapy (PTWJRS) treatments for the treatment of LE

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Lateral Epicondylitis Tennis Elbow

Interventions

Physiotherapy ProgramOTHER

A 15-session program (5 days a week) consisting of ultrasound (1.5 W/cm2, 1 MHz for 3 min), TENS (15 min), cold pack (15 min), eccentric strengthening exercises for wrist extensors, and deep friction massage (5 min).

Kinesiotaping (KT)DEVICE

Applied at the end of each PT session using forearm muscle inhibition and fascia correction techniques. Tapes remained on the elbow for approximately 345 hours in total.

Wrist Joint Rest SplintDEVICE

Used 6-8 hours a day during the 15-session program. Fixed at a 5° to 10° extension to reduce loading stress.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients applying with complaints of elbow pain lasting more than 3 months. * Diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis based on tenderness/pain on the lateral humeral epicondyle region. * Pain aggravated by passive stretching of the wrist extensors (Mill's test) or resisted extension of the middle finger (Maudley's test). * Pain, limited active ROM at the wrist joint, and hand grip weakness. Exclusion Criteria: * Inflammatory/infectious joint disease, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder/hand/wrist pathologies. * Radiculopathy, fibromyalgia, psychiatric/neurological disease, history of malignancy. * Cervical trauma, surgery, or upper extremity trauma. * Adhesive tape allergy. * Received corticosteroid injections for LE within the previous 3 months or PT for the elbow within the previous 6 months. * Used oral or topical NSAIDs or received other treatments for LE in the previous 3 months or during the study.

Locations (1)

Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Pain Intensity (VAS)

Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 10. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity, representing a worse clinical outcome.

Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Change in Grip Strength Measured by Hand Dynamometer

Painless and maximum grip strengths were evaluated using a hand dynamometer. The measurements are recorded in kilograms (kg). Higher values indicate greater grip strength, representing better physical function and a better clinical outcome.

Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Score

Tennis elbow symptoms and functional limitations were evaluated using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate greater pain and functional disability, representing a worse clinical outcome.

Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Change in QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) Score

Upper extremity disability and symptoms were evaluated using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate greater upper extremity disability and symptom severity, representing a worse clinical outcome.

Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 15-session treatment program (approximately 3 weeks)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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