NCT06382805

Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Tape and High-intensity Laser Therapy in Lateral Epicondylitis

Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Tape and High-intensity Laser Therapy on Pain, Grip Strength and Functional Level in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis: a Randomized Controlled Study.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 53 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hasan Kalyoncu University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Lateral epicondylitis is a common upper extremity disease that occurs with tenderness in the lateral epicondyle, the common attachment point of the wrist extensor muscles, and pain during resisted wrist extension. The main purpose of treating lateral epicondylitis is to reduce pain and increase functionality, but there is no accepted standard treatment method. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of kinesio tape and high intensity laser in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Detailed description

Lateral epicondylitis is a common upper extremity disease that occurs with tenderness in the lateral epicondyle, the common attachment point of the wrist extensor muscles, and pain during resisted wrist extension. It is usually a non-inflammatory tendinopathy of the extensor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum comminis. Calcific tendinitis and/or partial tears in the wrist extensor muscles may accompany this condition. It is most common between the ages of 30-60 and its prevalence has been reported as 1-1.7% Although the underlying cause is mostly unknown, activities that involve excessive use of wrist extensors and supinators are thought to be the most important cause of lateral epicondylitis .The main purpose of treating lateral epicondylitis is to reduce pain and increase functionality, but there is no accepted standard treatment method. Non-surgical treatment approaches such as patient education physiotherapy applications, manual therapy, laser therapy, splinting, taping, exercises, massage and local injection, as well as oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently applied. Kinesio tape, which is frequently used in musculoskeletal system injuries, is flexible, mimics skin and has a water-resistant structure. Kinesio tape creates a pumping system by pulling the skin up in the area where it is applied, thus increasing the skin space, increasing blood and lymph circulation, and creating analgesia and proprioceptive sensory input by reducing the pressure on pain receptors . There are scientific studies showing that kinesio tape application reduces pain and increases functionality and grip strength in patients with lateral apicondylitis. It is stated that high-intensity laser treatment can quickly create photochemical and photothermic effects in deep tissue. For this reason, collagen production in tendons is stimulated and can increase blood flow, vascular permeability and cell metabolism. As a result of all these events, tissue healing begins and painful stimuli disappear. It has been shown that high-intensity laser reduces pain and increases functionality and grip strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis. In the literature review, no randomized controlled studies were found comparing high-intensity laser and kinesio tape applications in patients with lateral epicondylitis

Conditions

• Tennis Elbow
• Physical Therapy
• Kinesiotaping
• Laser

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Physiotherapy program	The physiotherapy program will consist of cold-pack, US, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) and home exercise program. Cold-pack will be applied for 15 minutes. Continuous ultrasound will be applied on lateral epicondylitis with a 5-cm ultrasound head at a dose of 1.5W/cm2 for 5 minutes and a frequency of 1-MHZ. TENS application will be performed with the BTL 4000 combination device. TENS will be applied for 20 minutes, increasing the intensity of the current until the patient feels it. The treatment program will last for a total of two weeks, 5 days a week.
OTHER	Kinesio Tape	The longitudinal muscle technique will be applied from the origin to the insertion of the forearm extensor muscles by a researcher with a Kinesio tape application certificate. In addition, transverse kinesio tape will be applied on the elbow using the fascia correction technique. The treatment program will last for a total of two weeks, 5 days a week.
OTHER	High Intensity Laser therapy	High intensity laser applications will be performed using the BTL-6000 (BTL Company, UK) device. The first 5 sessions will be applied to the painful area for 75 seconds at a dose of 4W 6 J/cm2 (analgesic effect) by making circular movements from the center to the outside. The remaining 5 sessions will be applied to the painful area with linear movements for 12 minutes and 30 seconds at a dose of 6W 100-150 J/cm2 (biostimulation effect). The treatment program will last for a total of two weeks, 5 days a week.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-05-02
• Primary completion: 2024-11-11
• Completion: 2024-11-25
• First posted: 2024-04-24
• Last updated: 2024-11-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)