Yasemin Tombak, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Ozgur Z. Karaahmet, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Cigdem Zaman, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Fatma Cerci, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Ece Unlu-Akyuz, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Eda Gurcay, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital. Ankara, Turkey
Objectives: To assess the clinical and ultrasonographic effectiveness of transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy in managing lateral epicondylitis (LE). Method: Forty-seven patients with clinically and sonographically confirmed unilateral LE were randomized into two groups. The control group received exercise and LE banding for 3 weeks. The TECAR group received the same treatment, plus TECAR therapy 3 times weekly (nine sessions). Outcomes were evaluated using the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) as the primary measure. Secondary outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, handgrip strength (HGS), common extensor tendon (CET) thickness, and total ultrasonography scale score (TUSS). Assessments were made at baseline and post-treatment. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in elbow VAS-rest, VAS-night, VAS for activities of daily living (VAS-ADL), forearm VAS-night, VAS-ADL, arm VAS-ADL, lateral epicondyle tenderness-VAS, HGS, TUSS, hypoechogenicity, and PRTEE scores after treatment compared to baseline. Treatment did not significantly improve either group’s forearm VAS-rest, CET thickness, neovascularity, heterogeneity, or bone abnormality. Change in elbow VAS-ADL was found to be statistically significantly better in the TECAR group. Conclusions: TECAR therapy, when combined with conventional treatment, led to greater improvement in ADL-related pain and may be particularly beneficial for active individuals requiring faster symptom relief.
Keywords: Lateral epicondylitis. Transfer energy capacitive and resistive. Tennis elbow. Ultrasonography.