Effectiveness of Eccentric Training With Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Versus Resistance Training in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two exercise methods for treating chronic lateral epicondylitis, a condition affecting the elbow. This randomized controlled trial compares eccentric training combined with blood flow restriction therapy (ECC+BFR) to heavy slow resistance (HSR) training. The study will include 40 participants aged 25 to 45 years with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylitis lasting more than 12 months, recruited from two hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The interventional group will perform eccentric wrist extensor exercises with blood flow restriction using a pneumatic cuff inflated to 50-60% limb occlusion pressure. These exercises are done at 20-30% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) with a specific repetition pattern, three times weekly for 8 weeks. The control group will perform heavy slow resistance training at 70-85% of 1-RM, involving slow concentric and eccentric wrist exercises, matched in frequency and duration to the interventional group. During the study, participants will be assessed at the start, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks for pain intensity using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, functional performance specific to the patient, muscle strength, and muscle size increase. The study uses careful randomization and blinding of outcome assessors to reduce bias. Ethical standards will be followed, with informed consent and privacy protections. The total study duration is 8 weeks of supervised exercise sessions with ongoing safety monitoring.

Eccentric Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction vs Resistance Training for Lateral Epicondylitis