None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will examine the effects of biomechanical tape on pain and function in people with tennis elbow. Each participant will attend three sessions, where one of the following will be applied in a random order, 1) biomechanical tape, 2) control tape, and 3) no tape. Participants will have their pain intensity, grip strength, muscle activity, and wrist posture measured three times during each of the three sessions, 1) before the tape (or no tape), 2) immediately after the tape (or no tape), and 3) immediately after an exercise circuit wearing the tape (or no tape). The research hypotheses are that biomechanical tape will result in a reduction in pain, a reduction in wrist extensor muscle activity, an increase in pain-free grip strength in the affected arm, and an improvement in wrist posture, when compared to the control tape technique, or no tape.
Interventions
Brief name:
Biomechanical tape
Why:
Tennis elbow is thought to be caused by excessive loading of one of the tendons at the outside of the elbow. Biomechanical tape is an elastic therapeutic tape which has four-way stretch properties that are thought to reduce the load on underlying muscles and joints. Our study will investigate whether biomechanical tape applied to the forearm muscles can reduce pain and improve function in individuals with tennis elbow.
What:
Materials:
Biomechanical tap
Brief name: Biomechanical tape Why: Tennis elbow is thought to be caused by excessive loading of one of the tendons at the outside of the elbow. Biomechanical tape is an elastic therapeutic tape which has four-way stretch properties that are thought to reduce the load on underlying muscles and joints. Our study will investigate whether biomechanical tape applied to the forearm muscles can reduce pain and improve function in individuals with tennis elbow. What: Materials: Biomechanical tape is a safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, nylon- or lycra-backed elastic therapeutic tape registered with the TGA (ARTG# 220733). Please see www.gripitktape.com/products/gripit-active/new-prototype-activetape-50mm-black or www.dynamictape.info/about/ Procedures: This randomised crossover trial will consist of one intervention: biomechanical tape, and two control/comparator treatments: 1) control tape, and 2) no tape. The biomechanical tape intervention will be applied to the palm, back of the participants’ wrist, and forearm with the wrist in extension (held by the participant). The two end sections of the tape will act as anchors and will be applied with no stretch at either end of the tape to reduce the risk of skin irritation and ensure secure adhesion to the skin. The middle section of the tape will be stretched by 40%. To determine the required midsection length, the participant will extend the wrist and the distance from 3rd metacarpal head to forearm anchor point (2cm distal to midpoint of participant forearm) will be measured. This length will be divided by 1.4, which will allow for the tape to be stretched 40% over the 3rd metacarpal head to forearm anchor point length. In addition, a transverse piece of tape will be applied with no stretch across the dorsal wrist to prevent bowstringing. The comparator/control treatments are described in the relevant section below. Who provided: The biomechanical tape will be applied by an AHPRA-registered physiotherapist who has attended a relevant biomechanical tape training session. How: The biomechanical tape intervention will be delivered to each participant individually in a face-to-face setting. Where: The study will be conducted in the exercise and sport sciences laboratories at Central Queensland University (CQU), Rockhampton North campus. There will be a plinth, chair, and table to provide a comfortable testing environment for the participant, and all equipment for application of the conditions and outcome measurement will be easily accessible. When and how much: Biomechanical tape will be applied on one occasion and will be worn for approximately 60-90 minutes during the session. Each participant will complete an exercise task while wearing the tape, consisting of 1) a resisted wrist pronation/supination task, 2) a resisted wrist flexion/extension task, 3) a hook-grip carrying task, 4) a gripping and reaching task, and 5) a stapling and hole-punching task. The exercise task will take approximately 20 minutes including suitable rest between exercises. The washout period (i.e. the amount of time between each session) is a minimum of 48 hours, and no more than three weeks. Tailoring: The biomechanical tape will be measured and cut according to the individual participant’s forearm measurements. Each participant will receive biomechanical tape (or a control condition) for the same amount of time. Modifications: Modifications are not required. How well: Measurement of adherence is not applicable as participants are only wearing the biomechanical tape in the laboratory, thus will be monitored by the assessor for the duration of assessment.
Sponsors
Central Queensland University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1) Are aged 18 years or over, 2) Have a current episode of unilateral (one-sided) pain on the outside of elbow of a minimum six weeks’ duration, 3) Have reduced pain-free grip strength (i.e. 60% or less of the unaffected side), 4) Test positive for at least two out of three physical pain provocation tests 1) pain on palpation of the lateral epicondyle, 2) pain during a resisted wrist extension movement, 3) pain during third finger extension movement.
Exclusion criteria
1) Have a disease or illness that may influence pain or strength scores (e.g. cancer, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis), 2) Have a cardiac pacemaker, 3) Are pregnant or breastfeeding, 4) Have had a significant arm injury in the past five years (e.g. large fractures or burns) causing ongoing restriction of movement or muscle weakness, 5) Have had treatment from a health professional for their elbow in the past 3 months, 6) Have had a corticosteroid injection for their elbow pain in the last 6 months, 7) Have had spinal, arm, or leg pain (i.e. other than their affected elbow) in the past 3 months, that has required treatment from a health professional or prevented participation in work or recreational activities, 8) Have a severe allergy to tape or silver (for EMG sensors), 9) Are unable to understanding written or spoken English.
Outcome results
None listed