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Strength and pain measures associated with lateral epicondylitis bracing
Wuori JL, Overend TJ, Kramer JF, MacDermid J
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1998 Jul;79(7):832-837
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of bracing on measures of pain-free grip strength and pain scores in individuals with unilateral lateral epicondylitis through a comparison of two elbow braces, a placebo brace, and a no-brace situation. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design in which the subjects acted as their own controls. SETTING: A clinical research laboratory at a hand and upper limb clinic. PATIENTS: Fifty individuals diagnosed by a physician with unilateral lateral epicondylitis, having symptoms for at least 3 weeks, were recruited from the community. INTERVENTIONS: The braces studied were the Count'R-Force Tennis Elbow Brace, the Body Glove Airprene Elbow Support, and a placebo brace that consisted of a modified DePuy Levy Clinic Patella Strap. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain-free grip strength measured using an NK Biotechnical Corporation Hand Assessment System DIGIT-grip Device and pain scores measured on a visual numeric rating scale. RESULTS: No significant differences in pain-free grip strength or pain were observed between any of the test situations (p > 0.05). Pain during the test, however, was greater than pain before or after the test (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When tests were completed on one occasion with the brace on, no advantages of elbow bracing were detected. Whether bracing is effective when used as a treatment technique for an extended period of time should be addressed in future research.

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