Lateral Epikondilitli Hastalarda Farklı Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Uygulamalarının Ağrı, Fonksiyon ve Kavrama Kuvveti Üzerindeki Erken Dönem Cevaplarının Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the short term effects of different physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs on pain, function and grip strength in the rehabilitation of patients with lateral epicondylitis. Forty-five patients, mean age 49.5 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Patients were randomly separated into three groups. First group received coldpack-Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and the second group kinesiotaping in addition to same program. For the third group, was applied coldpack- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), two times per week, total five session. Home exercise program was prescribed for all groups. Patients were assessed by Visuel Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, maximum grip strength with hand dynometer, Cyriax Resisted Muscle Test and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale (PRTEE) at baseline and the end of the treatment and changes were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney-U Tests were applied for determining the statistical significance of pre-post treatment results among the groups and Wilcoxon Test was employed for intergroup results. Intra-group analysis showed that pain intensity was decreased, whereas maksimum grip strength and function were improved for all groups (p<0.05). Inter-group analysis showed kinesiotaping group was more effective than the other groups in decreasing pain intensity, increasing maximum grip strength and improving function (p=0.001, p=0.007, p<0.001, respectively). Application of kinesiotaping is found to be effective in decreasing pain intensity, recovering grip strength and increasing capacity of functional activity without pain in the treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis.