Sensorimotor deficits remain despite resolution of symptoms using conservative treatment in patients with tennis elbow: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the time course of sensorimotor deficits in lateral epicondylalgia (LE; tennis elbow) and how these deficits may be influenced by common conservative treatments.


METHODS
Single-blind randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University laboratory, Australia.


METHODS
A total of 198 participants with unilateral LE of a minimum 6 weeks duration and normative data from a group of 40 healthy participants.


METHODS
Participants with LE were randomly assigned to physical therapy, corticosteroid injection, or a wait-and-see approach with ergonomic advice.


METHODS
Upper-limb reaction time (simple, 1-choice and 2-choice reaction time) and speed of movement were assessed at baseline and 6 and 52 weeks of follow-up.


RESULTS
Patients with LE exhibited delayed reaction times (P<.001) and slower movement speeds (P<.001) for both the affected and unaffected arm at baseline, compared with normative data. Despite some improvement over time, significant bilateral deficits remained compared with healthy participants, with no significant differences between the affected and unaffected arm. Overall, there was no significant difference between the 3 treatment groups over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Sensorimotor deficits remain relatively unchanged over time and are present bilaterally in patients with unilateral LE. Treatment did not influence the time course of the sensorimotor deficits. This prompts conjecture as to the relationship and clinical relevance of sensorimotor deficits in LE. It should be noted that treatment evaluated in this study did not specifically target sensorimotor function, and further investigation into the significance of sensorimotor deficits in patients with LE is required.
Bisset
Leanne M
LM
University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Brisbane, Australia.
Coppieters
Michel W
MW
Vicenzino
Bill
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine