Immediate Effects of Wearable Vibrotactile Stimulation Compared to Traditional Physiotherapy on Pain and Function in Adults with Lateral Epicondylitis

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to study the immediate effects of vibrotactile stimulation on pain, sensation, and function in people with lateral epicondylitis, a chronic condition affecting the tendons around the elbow. The condition, often called tennis elbow, results in pain and reduced grip strength due to sensory changes rather than tendon damage. The study focuses on comparing wearable vibration technology combined with traditional physiotherapy against physiotherapy alone to understand their impacts on symptoms and upper limb function. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive one session of traditional physiotherapy, including wrist stretching exercises, radial head mobilization, and deep friction massage on the affected arm. The intervention group will also wear a vibrotactile device on the affected area for 20 minutes while resting comfortably. Immediate effects will be measured before and after the treatment session. During the study, participants will undergo assessments of pain severity, pressure pain threshold, and joint position sense before and about one hour after treatment. Secondary measures include hand grip sensitivity, grip strength, and a functional assessment after two weeks. The study is double-blinded and randomized, ensuring unbiased evaluation. Participation lasts for the treatment session and includes follow-up assessments to evaluate short-term functional improvements.

Effect of Vibrotactile Stimulation in Lateral Epicondylitis