Comparison of the Efficacy of Kinesiotaping and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of kinesiotaping (KT) and Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with acute/subacute (complaints exist <3 months) lateral epicondylitis(LE) in terms of pain control, hand grip strength, and functionality.

Methods: In total, 40 patients with newly diagnosed LE (27 females and 13 males with a mean age of 42.6 ± 8.4 years) were randomly allocated to receive a 3‑week treatment of either KT for 5 days a week (n = 20) or ESWT once a week (n = 20). Patients were evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS), hand grip strength (HGS), Roles and Maudsley scale (RMS), and quick DASHat baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of the treatment.

Results: Both KT and ESWT could achieve significant improvements in VAS, HGS, RMS, and Q‑Dash after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. However, these improvements were more prominent in the KT group compared with ESWT after 4 and 8 weeks. KT group achieved lower VAS scores, higher HGS, lower RMS compared with ESWT (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Both KT and ESWT could significantly improve pain, hand strength, and functionality in patients with newly diagnosed LE. However, these improvements were more prominent in the KT group. Considering the feasibility and the low cost of KT compared with ESWT, we recommend that KT should be considered for treating patients with newly diagnosed LE.

Keywords: Kinesiotaping, lateral epicondylitis, pain, shockwave