Effects of Mobilization With Movement and Active Release Technique in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

Effects of Mobilization With Movement and Active Release Technique in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of Mobilization with Movement (MWM) combined with Active Release Technique (ART) in the management of lateral epicondylitis. A total of 44 participants, aged 18-55 years with a clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis (duration ≥6 weeks), will be randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group will receive MWM, applied as sustained lateral glides during active, pain-free movements, along with ART targeting the wrist extensor muscles, with both techniques administered three sessions per week for four weeks in combination with conventional treatment. The control group will receive conventional treatment only. The primary outcome measures will include pain intensity assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), grip strength measured with a hand dynamometer, and range of motion assessed using a goniometer. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of week 2, and at the end of week 4. The study aims to determine whether the addition of MWM and ART provides significant improvements in pain reduction, correction of joint mechanics, and functional performance compared to conventional therapy alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Duration of symptoms ≥ 6 weeks. Pain intensity of NPRS ≥ 4 at baseline. Elbow pain during specific tests, i.e., Cozen's Test (resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended) and Mill's Test (passive wrist flexion with the elbow extended). Presence of clinical symptoms such as lateral elbow pain, tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, reduced grip strength, and pain aggravated by wrist extension or gripping activities

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with pain at the wrist, neck, or shoulder; bilateral elbow pain; previous elbow surgery in the last 12 months; or any arthritic changes of the elbow joint.