Impact of Heavy Slow Resistance vs. Convectional Exercise in Lateral Epicondylitis—A Pilot Study

Background

The extensor carpi radial muscle may become imbalanced compared to other muscles in the upper arm and can disrupt the overall muscle balance in the upper limb. This muscular imbalance may then cause inflammation or irritation in the tendon. Regular physical activity is rarely used as the only treatment for lowering limb edema. Heavy slow resistance (HSR) training is effective compared to regular exercises. HSR affects functional abilities and physical refinement differently from conventional workouts. This study evaluated the effects of HSR and conventional exercise (CE) on subjects aged 45–65 years with unilateral elbow pain on, in Chennai city.

Methods

Patient received conservative care in the Physiotherapy Department from January 2022 to April 2022. This study compares the pre- and posttypes. Tennis Elbow Evaluation (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, PRTEE) questionnaires, a patient-specific functional scale, and grip strength tests were used in the study. Results from the study's treatment HSR group and treatment CE group are contrasted.

Results

After 12 weeks of therapy, investigators reassessed grip strength, PRTEE scores, and functional scale responses. In the posttest results of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation survey, there is a statistically significant difference between Group HSR and Group CE (p < 0.001). The posttest outcomes from the patient-specific activity scoring scheme questionnaire revealed a statistically significant disparity between Groups HSR and CE (p < 0.001). The mean values for both groups exhibited a noteworthy change, with Team HSR demonstrating higher values in contrast to the control treatment.

Conclusion

HSR exercise demonstrates superior effectiveness over CEs for lateral epicondylitis (LE) management, emphasizing its significance in treatment.