Highlights
- •We aimed to understand how the application of exercises in a graded manner affect the treatment outcomes in terms of pain and function in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy (LET).
Abstract
Study Design
Prospective Case Series.
Background
Variety of studies inquired the effectiveness of exercise treatment in LET (Lateral
Elbow Tendinopathy). The research on the effectiveness of these approaches are still
ongoing and very much needed due to the uncertainty of the subject.
Purpose
We aimed to understand how the application of exercises in a graded manner affect
the treatment outcomes in terms of pain and function.
Methods
This study is completed by 28 patients with LET and it was planned as a prospective
case series. Thirty participants were included to participate in the exercise group.
Basic Exercises (Grade 1) were performed for four weeks. Advanced Exercises (Grade
2) were performed for another four weeks. The VAS (Visual Analog Scale), pressure
algometer, the PRTEE (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation) and a grip strength dynamometer
were used to measure outcomes. The measurements were performed at baseline, at the
end of four weeks and at the end of eight weeks.
Results
Investigation of the pain scores revealed that all VAS scores (p < 0.05, ES = 1.35;
0.72; 0,73 activity, rest, and night respectively) and pressure algometer results
were improved both during basic (p < 0.05, ES = 0.91) and advanced exercises (p <
0.05, ES = 0,41). PRTEE scores were found to be improved in patients with LET after
basic and advanced exercises (p > 0.001, ES = 1.15; p > 0.001, ES = 1.56 respectively).
The grip strength only changed after basic exercises (p = 0.003, ES = 0.56).
Conclusions
The basic exercises were beneficial for both pain and function. However, advanced
exercises are required for obtaining further improvements in terms of pain, function,
and grip strength.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 11, 2023
Accepted:
November 1,
2022
Received in revised form:
October 20,
2022
Received:
January 7,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.
