Exercise Therapy and Orthoses in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: Comparative Effects

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate whether adding a forearm counterforce brace or a wrist orthosis to exercise therapy provided additional benefits in pain, functional status, grip strength, and perceived recovery in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy, compared with exercise therapy alone.

Conditions

• Lateral Epicondylitis

Interventions

OTHER

Exercise-Only Group

Participants in this group received a standardized exercise protocol. The program consisted of an evidence-based combination of wrist isometric, concentric, and eccentric exercises. Free-weight exercises were initiated with 0.5-1 kg weights, according to individual tolerance, and progressed by 0.5-1 kg increments. For exercises using resistance bands, resistance was progressed by advancing to the next band level. The supervised exercise program was conducted for 6 weeks, 2 days per week. After the 6-week supervised treatment period, participants continued a 6-week home exercise program. Participants were assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

OTHER

Exercise + Forearm Counterforce Brace Group

Participants in this group received a standardized exercise protocol and a counterforce forearm brace in addition to exercise therapy. The program consisted of an evidence-based combination of wrist isometric, concentric, and eccentric exercises. Free-weight exercises were initiated with 0.5-1 kg weights, according to individual tolerance, and progressed by 0.5-1 kg increments. For exercises using resistance bands, resistance was progressed by advancing to the next band level. The supervised exercise program was conducted for 6 weeks, 2 days per week. After the 6-week supervised treatment period, participants continued a 6-week home exercise program. The counterforce forearm brace was positioned approximately 2.5 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle and was worn during daytime waking hours for 6 weeks. Participants were instructed to remove the brace during sleep and supervised exercise sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

OTHER

Exercise + Wrist Orthosis Group

Participants in this group received a standardized exercise protocol and a wrist orthosis in addition to exercise therapy. The program consisted of an evidence-based combination of wrist isometric, concentric, and eccentric exercises. Free-weight exercises were initiated with 0.5-1 kg weights, according to individual tolerance, and progressed by 0.5-1 kg increments. For exercises using resistance bands, resistance was progressed by advancing to the next band level. The supervised exercise program was conducted for 6 weeks, 2 days per week. After the 6-week supervised treatment period, participants continued a 6-week home exercise program. The wrist orthosis maintained the wrist in slight extension and was worn during daytime waking hours for 6 weeks. Participants were instructed to remove the orthosis during sleep and supervised exercise sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Büşra Kültür, MSc · Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

• Derya Çelik, Prof. Dr. · Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-02

Primary Completion

2025-08-30

Completion

2025-08-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations