The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Tennis Elbow

NCT06490692 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BFR Training
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to investigate the effects of blood flow restriction training on the parameters surrounding tennis elbow afflicted patients including pain, disability, and grip strength. The main question this study aims to answer is: 1- Does blood flow restriction training offer significantly better effects on pain, disability, and grip strength when compared to conventional strength training without blood flow restriction in patients afflicted with tennis elbow? Research will compare two groups with tennis elbow where both will perform the same rehabilitation program consisting of conventional physical therapy for tennis elbow as well as a strength training program with the only difference being that one group will undergo blood flow restriction training while the other will not.

Conditions

Tennis Elbow; Lateral Epicondylitis; Lateral Epicondylitis, Unspecified Elbow

Keywords

blood flow restriction training; lateral epicondylitis; tennis elbow

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Hand Grip Strength

  The hand grip strength was tested using a Camry Dynamometer, which is a smedly spring type dynamomter, whose reliability and validity in measuring handgrip strength has been reported by available literature.

  Taken initially before intervention process and after the conclusion of the intervention period (6 weeks, 12 sessions).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Patient Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale (PRTEES)

  Taken initially before intervention process and after the conclusion of the intervention period (6 weeks, 12 sessions).

• Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  Taken initially before intervention process and after the conclusion of the intervention period (6 weeks, 12 sessions).

Study Arms (2)

Blood Flow Restriction Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group will undergo conventional physical therapy including ultrasound, stretching, icing, heat, and deep friction massage applied at the extensor origin. In addition, the experimental group will undergo blood flow restriction strength training including the following: the weight of the dumbbell should be between 20-40% of their 1 rep max. The exercises were targeting the extensor muscles, applied by extending the wrist while holding the dumbbel and exercises targeting the supinator's and pronators while the participants were holding the dumbbell with forearm in neutral position, and were asked to supinate or pronate their forearm. The cuff will be placed proximally at the affected arm and inflated to achieve 40% limb occlusion depending on size attested using a a golden standard vascular dopler and all blood flow restriction activities were done with a licensed and experienced physical therapist.

Other: Blood Flow Restriction Training

Conventional Strength Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The active comparator group will undergo the same interventions as the experimental group with the addition of conventional strength training including the same program as the experimental group but without blood flow restriction of any kind: the weight of the dumbbell should be between 20-40% of their 1 rep max. The exercises were targeting the extensor muscles, applied by extending the wrist while holding the dumbbell for 4 sets (35 repetitions, 15 repetitions,15 repetitions,15 repetitions) respectively, and exercises targeting the supinator's and pronators while the participants were holding the dumbbell with forearm in neutral position, and were asked to supinate or pronate their forearm.

Other: Conventional Strength Training

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Training OTHER

The affected limb will have a cuff placed proximally and inflated to occlude the blood flow by 40% attested using a golden standard vascular doppler after which the individuals will perform the strengthening program set forth by the physical therapist. This is preceded by other tennis elbow interventions such as ultrasound, stretching, and deep friction massage at the extensor origin.

Blood Flow Restriction Training Group

Conventional Strength Training OTHER

The individuals in this group will undergo the same conventional physical therapy program as the other group including ultrasound, stretching, and deep friction massage. In addition, they will undergo the same strengthening program set forth by the physical therapist however with no blood flow restriction of any kind.

Conventional Strength Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 28 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients that were included in this study were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis by a medical doctor for less than 3 months.
• Dominant hand was diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis.
• They were aged between 20 and 40 years old.
• With decreased grip strength and wrist range of motion.
• No history of physical therapy treatment for lateral epicondylitis for at least 6 months.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with chronic diabetes.
• Any type of trauma or fracture in the upper extremities in the last 3 months.
• Patients with any vestibular problems.
• Patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Patients with hypertension.
• Patients with cancer.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beirut Arab University

Beirut, 0000, Lebanon

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tennis Elbow

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Elbow Tendinopathy; Tendinopathy; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Elbow Injuries; Arm Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Tendon Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Model Details: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2024
• First Posted: July 8, 2024
• Study Start: June 29, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 25, 2024
• Study Completion: November 1, 2024
• Last Updated: July 8, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-06

Locations

LE (1)