Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ultrasound, and dexamethasone iontophoresis in patients with lateral epicondylitis

Authors : Pınar Başaran, Ayşe Doğan

Pages : 1-9

Doi:10.52827/hititmedj.1462592

View : 62 | Download : 31

Publication Date : 2025-02-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound (US), and dexamethasone iontophoresis treatments on pain, grip strength, functionality, and quality of life in patients with lateral epicondylitis, and overdetermine the superiority of the treatments to each other. Material and Method: This single-blind, prospective study included 78 patients who were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. The patients were randomized into three groups. The same physiotherapy program consisted of hot packs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and exercises were administered to all groups. All exercises were performed under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. In addition to a 10-day physiotherapy program, every 5 days, a total 3 sessions of ESWT were conducted to the 1st group, 10 days of US applied to the 2nd group, and 10 days of dexamethasone iontophoresis therapy to the 3rd group. Evaluations were carried out before, and 1 month after treatment. Pain severity levels were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS), disability using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH), quality of life using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and grip strength using a dynamometer and pinch strength using a pinch meter. Results: The groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics. A significant temporal change was found in three groups in terms of pain severity, disability, grip strength, and quality of life at the first month after treatment. When the efficacy of these treatments was compared after treatment in the first month, dexamethasone iontophoresis was statistically superior to US, and ESWT in terms of pain, and quality of life (p<0.001, p=0.007, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). Also, the US was superior to ESWT in terms of quality of life (p<0.001). Conclusion: Dexamethasone iontophoresis is more effective in functional and clinical improvement in the treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Keywords : deksametazon iyontoforezi, ekstrakorporeal şok dalga tedavisi, Lateral epikondilit, tenisçi dirseği, ultrason

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