Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis with Physiotherapy during a Clinical Trial: Comparison of Mobilization Technique and Shock Wave

Objective: The current study aimed to examine effect of ESWT vs. MWM in the management of tennis elbow. Methods: The study was conducted in the physiotherapy department at PAU. Sample of the study consisted of 22 patients aged between 20-50 years. Patients were selected in the orthopedic clinic and randomly separated into 2 groups. The ESWT group included (12) patients, whereas the MWM group included (10) patients. The first group underwent 3 sessions/week and the latter underwent 2 sessions/week for 4 weeks. The demographic data were assessed. VAS was used for pain intensity. A hand-held dynamometer was used for wrist strength and Quick DASH was used for a functional disability. Results: Inter-group analysis was done using t-test. Comparing pre-post treatments using VAS disclosed that there were not significant differences between groups, P= 0.25. Pre-post treatment for wrist strength uncovered that there wasn't a significant difference between groups, P= 0.47. Pre-post QUICK DASH scores, P=0.35. Therefore, there wasn't a statistically significant difference between groups with functional disabilities. Conclusion: The study found that ESWT and MWM were effective in all outcome measures.