Treatment of medial and lateral epicondylitis (tennis and golfer’s elbow) with low level laser therapy: a multicenter double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 324 patients.
Simunovic Z, Trobonjaca T, Trobonjaca Z.
J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1998 Jun;16(3):145-51.
“Among the other treatment modalities of medial and lateral epicondylitis, low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been promoted as a highly successful method. “
Background and Objective
The aim of this clinical study was to assess the efficacy of LLLT using trigger points (TPs) and scanner application techniques under placebo-controlled conditions.
Study Design/Material and Methods
The current clinical study was completed at two Laser Centers (Locarno, Switzerland and Opatija, Croatia) on 324 patient population, of which 50 cases are medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow) and 274 are lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow). Unilateral cases of either type of epicondylitis (283) were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups according to the LLLT technique applied: (1) Trigger points; (2) Scanner; (3) Combination Treatment (i.e., TPs and scanner technique). The treatment outcome (pain relief and functional ability) was observed and measured according to: (1) short form of McGill’s Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ); (2) visual analogue scales (VAS);(3) verbal rating scales (VRS); (4) patient’s pain diary; and (5) hand dynamometer.
Results
Total relief of the pain with consequently improved functional ability was achieved in 82% of acute and 66% of chronic cases, all of which were treated by combination of TPs and scanner technique. This clinical study has demonstrated that the best results are obtained using combination treatment (i.e., TPs and scanner technique).
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