Comparison of effects of Cyriax physiotherapy, a supervised exercise programme and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of Cyriax physiotherapy, a supervised exercise programme, and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.


METHODS
Controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Rheumatology and rehabilitation centre.


METHODS
This study was carried out with 75 patients who had lateral epicondylitis. They were allocated to three groups by sequential allocation.


METHODS
Group A (n = 25) was treated with Cyriax physiotherapy. A supervised exercise programme was given to group B (n = 25). Group C (n = 25) received polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light). All patients received three treatments per week for four weeks.


RESULTS
Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and function using a visual analogue scale and pain-free grip strength at the end of the four-week course of treatment (week 4), one month (week 8), three months (week 16) and six months (week 28) after the end of treatment.


RESULTS
The supervised exercise programme produced the largest effect in the reduction of pain and in the improvement of function at the end of the treatment (P<0.05) and at any of the follow-up time points (P< 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The supervised exercise programme should be the first treatment option for therapists when they manage lateral epicondylitis patients. If this is not possible, Cyriax physiotherapy and polarized polychromatic non-coherent light (Bioptron light) may be suitable.
Stasinopoulos
Dimitrios
D
Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Centre, Athens, Greece. d_stasinopoulos@yahoo.gr
Stasinopoulos
Ioannis
I
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010789:Phototherapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000534:rehabilitation*