Hypoalgesic and sympathoexcitatory effects of mobilization with movement for lateral epicondylalgia.
OBJECTIVE
Mulligan has proposed the use of mobilization with movement for lateral epicondylalgia. In this study, mobilization with movement for the elbow was examined to determine whether this intervention was capable of inducing physiological effects similar to those reported for some forms of spinal manipulation.


METHODS
Seven women and 17 men (mean age=48.5 years, SD=7.2) with chronic lateral epicondylalgia participated in the study.


METHODS
A placebo, control, repeated-measures study was conducted to evaluate whether mobilization with movement at the elbow produced concurrent hypoalgesia and sympathoexcitation.


RESULTS
The treatment demonstrated an initial hypoalgesic effect and concurrent sympathoexcitation. Improvements in pain resulted in increased pain-free grip force and pressure pain thresholds. Sympathoexcitation was indicated by changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and cutaneous sudomotor and vasomotor function.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that a mobilization with movement treatment technique exerted a physiological effect similar to that reported for some spinal manipulations.
Paungmali
Aatit
A
Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
O'Leary
Shaun
S
Souvlis
Tina
T
Vicenzino
Bill
B
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*