Proprioceptive elbow training reduces pain and improves function in tennis elbow: Study

Primary end point was classified as presence of pain on visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10) while secondary end points highlighted the DASH-Score (0 = very good, 100 = very poor), grip strength according to Jamar dynamometer (kg), vibration sensation measured with a 128 Hz tuning fork.

The following findings were obsevred-

a. The pain on VAS in group A was reduced significantly. 3.6 ± 2.0 to 2.4 ± 2.1 (−33%, p = 0.013), and from 3.7 ± 2.4 to 2.2 ± 1.9 (−41%, p = 0.004) in group B after 12 weeks.

b. There was no significant difference between A and B (p = 0.899).

c. In both groups, there was a significant improvement of the DASH-Score (A: 32 ± 15 to 14 ± 12, −56%, p < 0.001; B: 27 ± 12 to 12 ± 11, −55%, p = 0.001) without any difference between groups A and B (p = 0.339).

d. Grip strength improvement in group A from 24 ± 12 to 33 ± 11 kg (+38%, p < 0.001), and from 29 ± 14 to 34 ± 11 kg (+15%, p < 0.001) in group B.

e. In line, vibration sensation improved in both groups (A: 6.3 ± 0.6 to 6.5 ± 0.5, p = 0.0001; B: 6.3 ± 0.7 to 6.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.003).

As a result, it was concluded that patients with lateral epicondylitis, which are more likely to have proprioceptive deficits as shown in other trials, active vibration training could cause an improvement of the proprioception itself as well as an improvement of grip strength, functionality and in particular pain reduction.

Schiffke-Juhász, B., Knobloch, K., Vogt, P.M. et al. Proprioceptive elbow training reduces pain and improves function in painful lateral epicondylitis—a prospective trial. J Orthop Surg Res 16, 468 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-021-02602-3