AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightMoreover, neither method is superior to the other in this regard.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Background/Aim: The treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE) is generally conservative, but evidence for its effects is insufficient. Although Kinesio Tape (KT) and forearm bandages (FB) are applied in the treatment of LE, the results regarding the effectiveness of these two treatment methods are controversial. Moreover, to our knowledge, no study compared these two methods with each other. Our aim was to investigate the effects of Kinesio Tape (KT) and forearm bandages (FB) on pain, tenderness, grip strength, function and quality of life and to compare these two methods. Methods: This study included 62 patients with LE diagnosis, between ages of 20 and 65. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups, representing KT (Group 1 = 31) and FB (Group 2 = 31), respectively. LE exercises were assigned as home programmes to both groups. Pain (VAS), the pressure pain thresholds (PPT), handgrip strength (HGS), the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE), and the ‘Short Form-12’ evaluation parameters were used. Patients were evaluated at the beginning, third and sixth weeks. Results: Significant difference was not observed between two groups in terms of demographic data and baseline evaluation parameters (P>0.05). In group 1, a significant improvement was observed across all evaluation parameters at both the third and sixth weeks, except the PPT at the sixth week (P0.05) Conclusion: The KT and FB treatments significantly improve LE patients’ pain, handgrip strength, functions and quality of life. Moreover, neither method is superior to the other in this regard.