The Effects of a Compressive Tissue Flossing Program on the Symptoms of Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy in United States Service Members
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy
- Sponsor
- Brooke Army Medical Center
- Enrollment
- 35
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this research study will be to assess the effects of a compressive tissue flossing (CTF) program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. Dependent variables will be the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), decrease their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, increase their maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity (UE). Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the first CTF intervention, and at the 1-week follow-up, for a total of 3 measurements.
Detailed Description
The purpose of this research study will be to assess the effects of a compressive tissue flossing (CTF) program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. I hypothesize that tissue flossing with a band for a 2-minute session daily will decrease patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), decrease their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score, increase their maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity (UE). Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the first CTF intervention, and at the 1-week follow-up, for a total of 3 measurements. If this method is shown to acutely decrease the symptoms of LET, it would give occupational therapists a potential home exercise program that is easy to initiate and only takes 2 minutes per day for patients to perform. This could prove to be an effective and low-cost method for service members to treat elbow pain symptoms. This technique could be used in austere environments where traditional musculoskeletal rehabilitation may not be available. Specific Aim 1: Assess the acute effects of compressive tissue flossing on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in United States service members. I will accomplish this by recording the patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale, their Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation outcome measure score, and their maximal grip strength in the affected UE before CTF, immediately after CTF, and at the 1-week follow-up after completing tissue flossing daily for 2 minutes. I will compare the outcomes from each measurement to evaluate the effects of CTF on lateral elbow pain symptoms.
Investigators
John Edgar Elam
Army-Baylor Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy Fellow
Brooke Army Medical Center
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •United States military service members stationed at JBSA between the ages of 18 to 65
- •Report of lateral elbow pain
- •Can perform either a modified push-up or push-up for 1 minute.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Under 18 years old or over 65 years old
- •Recent surgical treatment of the involved upper extremity
- •Current fracture of the involved upper extremity
- •Open wounds at the treatment area
- •History of skin diseases
- •Tumors at the treatment area
- •History of a peripheral vascular condition
- •History of chronic inflammatory processes
- •Latex allergy
- •History of varicose veins
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation
Time Frame: 1 week
Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 100. 0 indicates that lateral elbow pain has no effect on the participant, whereas an increased score indicates the participant's lateral elbow pain has an increased effect on ability to perform activities and a worse outcome.
Patient's report of pain on the Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale
Time Frame: 1 week
This pain scale assesses the participant's perceived pain on a scale from 0-10. ) being no pain and 10 being as bad as the pain could possibly be. A participant rating their pain lower post-intervention would indicate a positive outcome.
Maximal grip strength in the affected upper extremity
Time Frame: 1 week
Maximal grip strength will be recorded by the participant squeezing a calibrated dynamometer, which is a measurement tool used to calculate grip strength in pounds per square inch. The amount of grip strength generated in pounds per square inch in the affected upper extremity will be compared to maximal grip strength after the intervention is implemented day 1 and after 1 week.