Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Kinesio Taping in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

TENS and Kinesio Tape for Treatment Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis is the most common condition affecting the elbow and characterized by pain over the lateral epicondyle. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the efficacy of TENS and Kinesio Taping in lateral epicondylitis.

In this prospective-randomized, assessor blinded controlled trial, seventy-eight patients (63 women, 15 men, mean age 47,5 ±7,94 years) with lateral epicondylitis were enrolled. Patients were allocated into 4 treatment groups: Group 1 received TENS and Kinesio Taping, group 2 received TENS+sham Kinesio Taping, group 3 received sham TENS+ Kinesio Taping and group 4 received sham TENS+sham Kinesio Taping. TENS was applied for 10 sessions and Kinesio Taping for 4 times in 10 days. All patients were given a progressive exercise program and were informed about the disease. All patients were told to take paracetamol 500 mg if their pain is severe and to note the number of the paracetamol taken.

Outcome measures were pain-free grip strength, pressure pain threshold and pain severity at rest, night and forced wrist extension test. Patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) was used to determine functional status. Patients were assessed for outcome measures at screening, after treatment (day 10) and 12th week after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 19 to 72
• Enough cognitive ability to fill clinical assessment forms
• Agreed to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe or progressive neurological deficits
• Severe psychiatric disease history, substance and/or alcohol dependence,
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, malignancy, osteoporosis
• A history of inflammatory or infectious disease
• A skin allergy story
• Previously undergone physical therapy due to lateral epicondylitis