A single case study: is isolytic MET a more effective approach than prescribed eccentric loading, in improving grip-strength and reducing pain levels when considering a patient with Lateral Epicondylitis?
Item
- Title
- A single case study: is isolytic MET a more effective approach than prescribed eccentric loading, in improving grip-strength and reducing pain levels when considering a patient with Lateral Epicondylitis?
- Author(s)
- Williams, J
- Abstract
- Background: LE is a prevalent condition characterised by pain on palpation and grip-strength weakness, appearing to lead to a substantial loss of work hours. Muscle energy technique (MET) has rarely been compared to eccentric loading specifically, the predominant treatment option for LE remains elusive. Objective: To investigate the potential role isolytic MET has in improving grip-strength and the effect on subjective pain levels within an LE patient, compared to prescribed eccentric loading and baseline control phase within an eight week period. Design: ABAC single case research design. Methods: Participants were included in this study if they suffered from recurrent and/or occupational related LE, with a minimum of two episodes so far within 2015. LE was confirmed upon physical examination of the patient. Exclusion criteria included: the inability to complete the eight week experimental period; major medical concerns; reported severe adverse reactions to MET, eccentric loading or the grip-strength test. Outcome measures included: grip-strength of the affected limb; pain scale using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); the Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation questionnaire (PRTEE). Excel (version 14) was used to collect raw data and report descriptive summary statistics.Results: This study revealed an increase in grip-strength post MET within the participant compared to baseline. A decrease in pain (from 6 down to 3 on the VAS) was indicated in the AM reading 2 days post-MET (post each second MET intervention). Difficulty and pain whilst undertaking tasks both marginally decreased post-MET intervention. Post-eccentric loading however, indicated increased difficulty and pain in the first week (compared to baseline) with a decrease below baseline in the second week of intervention. Eccentric data alone indicated a statistically significant difference between grip-strength baseline levels and intervention phases.Discussion: Research documenting the treatment modality of choice for LE is conflicting. Clinically relevant research suggests a multimodal approach including eccentric loading appears effective, however this study implies two significant deficits in strength post eccentric. This study provided a short-term improvement in grip-strength post-MET alone; as the predominant debilitating feature of LE appears to be reduced grip-strength, this may lend support to the effectiveness of isolytic MET. Conclusion: This study implies an acute post-MET improvement in grip-strength, within patients with LE, however the results were not statistically significant. Eccentric loading data indicates reductions in grip-strength that are statistically significant, although longer-term research may provide further clarity on the predominant treatment option for LE.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2016
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 17:29:04
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15973
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Isolytic MET, Lateral Epicondylitis, Prescribed eccentric-loading, Pain/Grip-strength.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Williams, J, “A single case study: is isolytic MET a more effective approach than prescribed eccentric loading, in improving grip-strength and reducing pain levels when considering a patient with Lateral Epicondylitis?”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/508