title: Is eccentric exercise an effective treatment for lateral epicondylitis? A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the effectiveness of eccentric exercise as a treatment intervention for lateral epicondylitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  ProQuest, Medline via EBSCO, AMED, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was undertaken to identify randomized and controlled clinical trials incorporating eccentric exercise as a treatment for patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Studies were included if: they incorporated eccentric exercise, either in isolation or as part of a multimodal treatment protocol; they assessed at least one functional or disability outcome measure; and the patients had undergone diagnostic testing. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Modified Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group score sheet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Three were deemed 'high' quality, seven were 'medium' quality, and two were 'low' quality. Eight of the studies were randomized trials investigating a total of 334 subjects. Following treatment, all groups inclusive of eccentric exercise reported decreased pain and improved function and grip strength from baseline. Seven studies reported improvements in pain, function, and/or grip strength for therapy treatments inclusive of eccentric exercise when compared with those excluding eccentric exercise. Only one low-quality study investigated the isolated effects of eccentric exercise for treating lateral epicondylitis and found no significant improvements in pain when compared with other treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of consistent findings support the inclusion of eccentric exercise as part of a multimodal therapy programme for improved outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
authors.affiliation: AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Frances L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Cullinane
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Boocock
authors.forename: Fiona C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Trevelyan
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Exercise programme; eccentric exercise; lateral epicondylitis; rehabilitation; systematic review; tennis elbow