31594
document
Effects of low-level laser and plyometric exercises in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis . OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of a protocol of combination of laser with plyometric exercises and a protocol of placebo laser with the same program , in the treatment of tennis elbow . BACKGROUND DATA The use of low-level laser has been recommended for the management of tennis elbow with contradictory results . Also , plyometric exercises was recommended for the treatment of the tendinopathy . METHODS Fifty patients who had tennis elbow participated in the study and were randomised into two groups . Group A ( n = 25 ) was treated with a 904 Ga-As laser CW , frequency 50 Hz , intensity 40 mW and energy density 2.4 J/cm ( 2 ) , plus plyometric exercises and group B ( n = 25 ) that received placebo laser plus the same plyometric exercises . During eight weeks of treatment , the patients of the two groups received 12 sessions of laser or placebo , two sessions per week ( weeks 1-4 ) and one session per week ( weeks 5-8 ) . Pain at rest , at palpation on the lateral epicondyle , during resisted wrist extension , middle finger test , and strength testing was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scales . Also it was evaluated the grip strength , the range of motion and weight test . Parameters were determined before the treatment , at the end of the eighth week course of treatment ( week 8 ) , and eighth ( week 8 ) after the end of treatment . RESULTS Relative to the group B , the group A had ( 1 ) a significant decrease of pain at rest at the end of 8 weeks of the treatment ( p < 0.005 ) and at the end of following up period ( p < 0.05 ) , ( 2 ) a significant decrease in pain at palpation and pain on isometric testing at 8 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.05 ) , and at 8 weeks follow-up ( p < 0.001 ) , ( 3 ) a significant decrease in pain during middle finger test at the end of 8 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.01 ) , and at the end of the follow-up period ( p < 0.05 ) , ( 4 ) a significant decrease of pain during grip strength testing at 8 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.05 ) , and at 8 weeks follow-up ( p < 0.001 ) , ( 5 ) a significant increase in the wrist range of motion at 8 weeks follow-up ( p < 0.01 ) , ( 6 ) an increase in grip strength at 8 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.05 ) and at 8 weeks follow-up ( p < 0.01 ) , and ( 7 ) a significant increase in weight-test at 8 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.05 ) and at 8 weeks follow-up ( p < 0.005 ) . CONCLUSION The results suggested that the combination of laser with plyometric exercises was more effective treatment than placebo laser with the same plyometric exercises at the end of the treatment as well as at the follow-up . Future studies are needed to establish the relative and absolute effectiveness of the above protocol .
31595
Intervention_Physical
low-level laser and plyometric exercises
31596
Intervention_Physical
laser with plyometric exercises
31597
Intervention_Control
placebo laser with the same program
31598
Intervention_Physical
low-level laser
31599
Intervention_Physical
plyometric exercises
31600
Intervention_Physical
904 Ga-As laser CW
31601
Intervention_Physical
plus plyometric exercises
31602
Intervention_Physical
placebo laser plus the same plyometric exercises .
31603
Intervention_Physical
laser or
31604
Intervention_Control
placebo
31605
Intervention_Physical
combination of laser with plyometric exercises
31606
Intervention_Control
placebo laser with the same plyometric exercises
31607
Outcome_Pain
Pain at rest , at palpation on the lateral epicondyle , during resisted wrist extension , middle finger test
31608
Outcome_Physical
strength testing
31609
Outcome_Other
Visual Analogue Scales
31610
Outcome_Physical
grip strength
31611
Outcome_Physical
range of motion
31612
Outcome_Physical
weight test
31613
Outcome_Pain
pain at rest
31614
Outcome_Pain
pain at palpation and pain on isometric testing
31615
Outcome_Pain
pain during middle finger test
31616
Outcome_Pain
pain during grip strength testing
31617
Outcome_Physical
wrist range of motion
31618
Outcome_Physical
grip strength
31619
Outcome_Physical
weight-test
31620
Participant_Condition
lateral epicondylitis .
31621
Participant_Condition
tennis elbow .
31622
Participant_Condition
tennis elbow