Efficiency of Kinesio Taping in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

Elif Balevi Batur

Status: Completed

Conditions: Tendinopathy, Elbow

Treatments: Device: Tape

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04518527

GaziU

Details and patient eligibility

About

Lateral epicondylitis is a degenerative tendinosis of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle and is the most common work/sports-related chronic musculoskeletal problem affecting the elbow. This randomized, double-blinded, controlled study aimed to evaluate the short term and residual effectiveness of the Kinesio taping method on pain, grip force, quality of life, and functionality.

Full description

Fifty patients diagnosed with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylitis with a symptom duration of at least 12 weeks. The study group received a true inhibitor Kinesio taping while the control group received sham taping for the first four weeks. In both groups, progressive stretching and strengthening exercises were given as a home program for 6 weeks. Patients were assessed with the numerical rating scale (NRS), Cyriax resistive muscle test evaluation, maximal grip strength, PRTEE (Patient- Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation), and SF-36 (Short Form-36) by the first assessor who was blinded to taping types.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Having pain on or near the lateral epicondyle and increases with pain at least one of the following provocations tests for lateral epicondylitis -resisted wrist extension (Cozen's test), resisted elbow supination (Mill's test) and 3rd finger extension (Maudley's test),
• Unilateral elbow pain at least 12 weeks,
• Not received injection therapy to the elbow in the last six weeks,
• Not received a physical therapy program in the last three months,
• Presence of normal elbow radiographic findings,
• Normal elbow joint range of motion,
• Having no neurological deficits

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with degenerative joint disease,
• Radial tunnel syndrome,
• Cervical nerve root compression,
• Pain reflected from the neck, shoulders,
• Wrist, radiohumeral joint osteochondritis dissecans,
• Tendon rupture,
• Osteoporosis, Infection,
• Malignancy,
• Inflammatory disease,
• Pregnant women

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

50 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

true taping+ exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

The true taping method was applied to the first group according to the method determined by Kase. According to this method, a 2-inch (5 cm) wide beige-colored Kinesio tape (Kinesio® Tex Gold FP) was measured from the second-third metacarpal base to the lateral epicondyle while the elbow was extended and the wrist was in the neutral position and the tape was applied in the shape of a 'Y'. In a position where the wrist-ankle extensors were most tense (wrist-ankle extension - forearm pronation), the anchor point of the tape was applied to the insertion of the muscle without creating any tension. Then, the tape was applied to the medial and lateral edges of the wrist extensors by applying a 15-25% tension towards the origin of the muscle. Both ends of the Y-shaped tape were terminated without tension on the lateral epicondyle.

Treatment:

Device: Tape

sham taping+exercise

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

In the placebo group, the 10 cm I-shaped tape was placed 5 cm inferior to the lateral epicondyle using the same Kinesio tape in the study group. It was applied transversely, starting from the painless side of the midline on the forearm extensor face directing towards the lateral side of the forearm without a tension.

Treatment:

Device: Tape