Comparison of effectiveness of supervised exercise program and Cyriax physiotherapy in patients with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of supervised exercise program and Cyriax physiotherapy in the treatment of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre.


METHODS
This study was carried out with 20 patients, who had tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).


METHODS
Group A (n = 10) had received supervised exercise program. Group B (n = 10) was treated with Cyriax physiotherapy. All patients received three treatment sessions per week for four weeks (12 treatment sessions).


METHODS
Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional status was evaluated by completion of the Tennis Elbow Function Scale (TEFS) which were recorded at base line and at the end of fourth week.


RESULTS
Both the supervised exercise program and Cyriax physiotherapy were found to be significantly effective in reduction of pain and in the improvement of functional status. The supervised exercise programme resulted in greater improvement in comparison to those who received Cyriax physiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this clinical trial demonstrate that the supervised exercise program may be the first treatment choice for therapist in managing tennis elbow.
BCF College Of Physiotherapy, Indo American Hospital Campus, Kottayam District, Kerala State, Vaikom 686143, India. vrajadurai@yahoo.com
Rajadurai
R
Viswas
Rejeeshkumar
R
Ramachandran
Payal
P
Korde Anantkumar
D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome