Comparison of the effectiveness of kinesiologic taping and high intensity laser therapy in lateral elbow tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: Lateral elbow tendinopathy is a common condition that causes pain and functional impairments, limiting daily activities.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy, kinesio taping, and therapeutic exercises in terms of pain, function, disability, and muscle strength.

Study design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Fifty-five patients were randomly assigned into three groups. The first group received high-intensity laser therapy + therapeutic exercises, the second group received kinesio taping + therapeutic exercises, and the third group received therapeutic exercises alone. Evaluations were performed before treatment (PreT), immediately after treatment (PostT), and 4 weeks after treatment (PostT-4). Outcomes were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), the Patient-based Lateral Epicondylitis Evaluation (PRTEE), and grip strength.

Results: Both high-intensity laser therapy and kinesio taping showed significant improvements in PRTEE scores at PostT and PostT-4. Kinesio taping was superior to therapeutic exercises but showed no difference compared to high-intensity laser therapy. All groups showed significant improvements in Q-DASH scores at PostT-4, with high-intensity laser therapy and kinesio taping being more effective than therapeutic exercises. No significant differences were found between the groups for VAS and grip strength.

Conclusions: Therapeutic exercises alone is effective in treating lateral elbow tendinopathy, while high-intensity laser therapy and kinesio taping provide additional benefits in improving function and reducing disability. There was no superiority between high-intensity laser therapy and kinesio taping, but both were more beneficial than therapeutic exercises alone.