Effects of Therapeutic Eccentric Exercise on Pain and Grip Strength in Persons with Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis produces a heavy burden of workdays lost and results in residual impairments. Though different treatment methods for lateral epicondylitis are available, majority of the studies reported inconsistent results and no therapeutic modality seems to stand out or alter the natural history of the disease. Eccentric exercise program increases the strength of the tendon by gradually overloading it to promote an increase in tensile strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic eccentric exercises on pain and grip strength in subjects diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Twenty-four subjects (11 men and 13 women) with lateral epicondylitis were enrolled, randomized, and subdivided into 2 groups - an experimental group of 12 participants (55 ± 2.12 years) and a control group of 12 participants with lateral epicondylitis (53 ± 2.27 years). They were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. Control group received standard physical therapy and participants of the experimental group were subjected to therapeutic eccentric exercises along with standard physical therapy. Outcome measures included Visual Analogue Scale and Grip Strength. By the end of the trial period, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in scores of Visual Analogue Scale (t = 9.9469) and the grip strength (t=26.90). The study showed that therapeutic eccentric exercise is more effective in reducing pain and improving grip strength in persons with lateral epicondylitis than standard physical therapy. The findings suggest that therapeutic eccentric exercise should be considered in the management of persons with lateral epicondylitis.