EFFECTIVENESS OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF UNTREATED LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS (PRELIMINARY RESULTS)

Abstract

PURPOSE To determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE) not previously treated. METHODS This was a double-blind (evaluator and subject blinded) randomized control trial design. 60 subjects diagnosed with LE, who had never been treated for their LE (NSAID use was permitted) were randomly allocated (random permuted block randomization, envelope concealment) to receive 3 weekly sessions of real (total energy flux density range 0.03–0.17mJ/mm2) or sham ESWT. All subjects were taught a home forearm extensor stretch. Subjects were followed for 8 weeks post-inclusion and were assessed for overall pain (VAS), quality of life (EuroQoL questionnaire), and maximum pain-free grip strength. RESULTS Initial results for 20 subjects are presented in the table below (standard deviations in parantheses).Table: No Caption AvailableCONCLUSION Full results for all 60 subjects will be presented. Initial results suggest a higher magnitude of improvement in VAS pain score and quality of life in the ESWT therapy group compared to the sham therapy group. Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Training Program and the Sport Science Association of Alberta.