Combined Isotonic Exercise in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Summary

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of the combined isotonic exercise technique applied with extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Individuals aged 39-65 diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were randomized using a sealed envelope method to one of the following groups: extracorporeal shock wave therapy, eccentric exercise and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or combined isotonic exercise and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Patients in the combined isotonic exercise and eccentric exercise groups were enrolled in a rehabilitation program under the supervision of a physiotherapist three days a week for five weeks. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was also administered once a week for five weeks for all three groups. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain threshold algometer, muscle strength using a hand-held dynamometer, grip strength using a digital hand-held dynamometer, and functionality using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH).

Conditions

• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Interventions

OTHER

ESWT Aplication

All three groups received a total of five ESWT sessions, once a week for five weeks. All ESWT sessions were administered by the same physiotherapist, and the patients were positioned with their elbows flexed to 90 degrees and supported. ESWT was applied to sensitive points on the lateral epicondyle using a shock wave dose of 2000 pulses/session, with an intensity of 1.6 bar, a frequency of 10 Hz, and 1.6 bar. No analgesics or local anesthetics were administered before, during, or after the treatment.

OTHER

ECCENTRIC EXERCISE

Patients in the eccentric exercise group underwent a protocol consisting of slow-progressive eccentric wrist extensor exercises combined with static stretching exercises three times a week for 5 weeks. Eccentric exercises were performed without any resistance to eliminate gravity in the first week, and the intensity of the resistance was gradually increased using yellow elastic resistance bands in weeks 2-3 and red elastic resistance bands in weeks 4-5. Eccentric exercises were performed with the elbow extended, the forearm pronated, the wrist extended, and hanging down from the support surface. Patients were asked to slowly bend the wrist downward, count to 30, and then return to the starting position. Eccentric contractions were then performed in the same manner, and so on. Patients were instructed to continue the exercise if mild pain occurred but to stop the exercise if the pain increased to the point of preventing movement. Once patients tolerated the exercise, the lo

OTHER

COMBINED ISOTONIC EXERCISE

Patients in the combined isotonic exercise group underwent an eccentric-concentric exercise protocol combined with wrist isometric exercises three days a week for 5 weeks. Similar to the eccentric training group, this group completed the training with resistance applied in the first week and elastic bands in subsequent weeks. In the first week, exercise training began with the patients' elbows in full extension, forearms in pronation, wrists in extension, and hanging from the support surface. Participants were asked to slowly bend their wrists for a count of 30, and the wrist extensors were eccentrically exercised. Immediately afterward, patients performed a concentric contraction while returning to the starting position (extension). Then, isometric contraction of the wrist extensors was maintained in the starting position for 30-45 seconds. Once the isometric contraction was achieved, concentric contraction continued, completing the exercise protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-20

Primary Completion

2025-05-20

Completion

2025-05-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations