Mulligan Mobilization Vs. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in The Treatment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis: A RandomizeControlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Mulligan Mobilization with movement (MWM) and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) on pain, range of motion (ROM), hand grip strength, and upper limb disability in individuals diagnosed with chronic lateral epicondylitis (CLE).

Design: A randomized controlled study.

Settings: Outpatient clinic of AL-Qenayat Central Hospital between March 25, 2023, and June 30, 2023.

Participants: Sixty patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were randomized into 3 equal groups.

Intervention: Group A recieved (MWM), Group B recieved (IASTM), and Group C recieved (conventional treatment). The interventions were administered three times weekly for four weeks, in addition to the standard treatment protocol.

Main Outcome Measures: Visual analogue scale (VAS) for measurement of pain intensity, Universal Goniometer for wrist ROM, Digital Hand-Held Dynamometer for hand grip strength, and the Quick DASH questionnaire for hand activities assessment were measured at baseline and following four weeks of intervention.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between the impact of MWM and IASTM post treatment in patients with CLE (P<0.05) in terms of pain intensity, ROM, hand grip strength, as well as hand function. 

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that MWM may be more beneficial than IASTM in addressing pain, improving ROM, enhancing hand grip strength, and reducing upper limb extremity in individuals with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Further research is warranted to validate and generalize these results.