Strength and pain measures associated with lateral epicondylitis bracing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of bracing on measures of pain-free grip strength and pain scores in individuals with unilateral lateral epicondylitis through a comparison of two elbow braces, a placebo brace, and a no-brace situation.


METHODS
Repeated-measures design in which the subjects acted as their own controls.


METHODS
A clinical research laboratory at a hand and upper limb clinic.


METHODS
Fifty individuals diagnosed by a physician with unilateral lateral epicondylitis, having symptoms for at least 3 weeks, were recruited from the community.


METHODS
The braces studied were the Count'R-Force Tennis Elbow Brace, the Body Glove Airprene Elbow Support, and a placebo brace that consisted of a modified DePuy Levy Clinic Patella Strap.


METHODS
Pain-free grip strength measured using an NK Biotechnical Corporation Hand Assessment System DIGIT-grip Device and pain scores measured on a visual numeric rating scale.


RESULTS
No significant differences in pain-free grip strength or pain were observed between any of the test situations (p > .05). Pain during the test, however, was greater than pain before or after the test (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
When tests were completed on one occasion with the brace on, no advantages of elbow bracing were detected. Whether bracing is effective when used as a treatment technique for an extended period of time should be addressed in future research.
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
J L
JL
Wuori
T J
TJ
Overend
J F
JF
Kramer
J
J
MacDermid
D000328:Adult; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome