Abstract
Background
Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common overuse injuries, and has been reported to reduce function and affect daily activities. There is no standard therapy for lateral epicondylitis. In Hong Kong, acupuncture and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been popular in treating lateral epicondylitis in recent years.
Objective
This study is to compare the treatment effects of acupuncture and ESWT on lateral epicondylitis.
Methods
In this study, we evaluated 34 patients (34 elbows) with lateral epicondylitis. Seventeen patients were treated by 3-week ESWT, one session per week. Another 17 were treated by 3-week acupuncture therapy, two sessions per week. The outcome measures included pain score by visual analogue scale, maximum grip strength by Jamar dynamometer, and level of functional impairment by disability of arms, shoulders, and hands questionnaire. Participants were assessed at three time points: baseline; after treatment; and 2-week follow-up.
Results
The two treatments showed no significant difference at any assessment time-point. Both treatment groups had significant improvement in pain score in longitudinal comparisons. No significant difference was found in maximum grip strength and functional impairment in either treatment group, but a trend of improvement could be observed. In addition, improvement in pain relief stopped when treatment ended for either groups.
Conclusions
The treatment effects of acupuncture and ESWT on lateral epicondylitis were similar. The pain relief persisted for at least two weeks after treatment.
Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common overuse injuries, and has been reported to reduce function and affect daily activities. There is no standard therapy for lateral epicondylitis. In Hong Kong, acupuncture and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been popular in treating lateral epicondylitis in recent years.
Objective
This study is to compare the treatment effects of acupuncture and ESWT on lateral epicondylitis.
Methods
In this study, we evaluated 34 patients (34 elbows) with lateral epicondylitis. Seventeen patients were treated by 3-week ESWT, one session per week. Another 17 were treated by 3-week acupuncture therapy, two sessions per week. The outcome measures included pain score by visual analogue scale, maximum grip strength by Jamar dynamometer, and level of functional impairment by disability of arms, shoulders, and hands questionnaire. Participants were assessed at three time points: baseline; after treatment; and 2-week follow-up.
Results
The two treatments showed no significant difference at any assessment time-point. Both treatment groups had significant improvement in pain score in longitudinal comparisons. No significant difference was found in maximum grip strength and functional impairment in either treatment group, but a trend of improvement could be observed. In addition, improvement in pain relief stopped when treatment ended for either groups.
Conclusions
The treatment effects of acupuncture and ESWT on lateral epicondylitis were similar. The pain relief persisted for at least two weeks after treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 21-26 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology |
| Volume | 7 |
| Early online date | 24 Nov 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
This research study is supported by the MSc&PgD in Sports Medicine and Health Science, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.Keywords
- conservative treatment
- lateral epicondylalgia
- lateral epicondylitis
- tendinopathy
- tennis elbow