Effects of Eccentric Training for Patients With Lateral Epicondylalgia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate eccentric training as an intervention for lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow) in a clinical setting.

Official Title
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Effects of Eccentric Training for Patients With Lateral Epicondylalgia - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Tennis Elbow, Epicondylitis, Lateral Humeral

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Eccentric training
* Device: Forearm band
* Device: Forearm band


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Positive diagnostic criteria according to Haker (1991): A history of pain around the lateral epicondyle for at least one month. Pain at palpation of the lateral epicondyle of humerus and positive results in two of the following three pain provocation tests: Middle finger test, resisted extension of the wrist, and Vigorimeter test. Each of these tests is described in detail by Haker (1991) Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with rheumatoid arthritis Fibromyalgia Previous surgery in the elbow region Neck dysfunction suggesting possible cervical rhizopathy Entrapment of n.radialis Patients with ongoing treatment, or previous treatment less than three months before enrolled to the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Eccentric training<br> | Other: Eccentric training<br>* A home training program of eccentric training of the wrist extensors to be carried out daily with 3 sets of 15 repetitions. All subjects were instructed to use the forearm band (Epi Forsa 4061, Rehband, Sweden)<br>Device: Forearm band<br>* All patients were instructed to use a forearm band during all daily activities.<br>* Other names: Epi Forsa 4061, Rehband, Sweden;|
| Placebo Comparator: Forearm band<br> | Device: Forearm band<br>* All subjects were instructed to use the forearm band during all daily activities.<br>* Other names: Epi Forsa 4061, Rehband, Sweden;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diagnostic criteria, whether or not the patient had recovered according to the diagnostic criteria for LE, Haker (1991) at follow up examinations |  | 3 wk and 6 wk follow up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measurements of pain free functional grip strength using the Martin Vigorimeter test, and maximum pain free isometric extensor strength by using Nicholas Myometer |  | 3 wk and 6 wk follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Elbow, Tendinitis, Sports Medicine, Athletic injuries