The effects of Mulligan's mobilization with movement technique in patients with lateral epicondylitis

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common problem of the arm. Mulligan has proposed the use of mobilization with movement for LE. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of Mulligan's mobilization with movement (MWM) in LE. METHODS: Forty patients were included in the study and randomly assigned to group 1 (n = 20), who received MWM, exercise and cold therapy, or group 2 (n = 20), who received exercise and cold therapy. The sessions were conducted five times a week for two weeks. All measures were conducted at baseline, after treatment, at 1st and 3rd months follow-ups. Mann-Whitney U test, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire for pain intensity and functional disability and a dynamometer for hand grip strength were applied. RESULTS: VAS activity pain significantly decreased in group 1 after treatment (p = 0.001), at the 1st (p < 0.001) and 3rd months (p = 0.040). There was a significant decrease in VAS night pain in group 1 (p = 0.024), and a significant increase in pain-free grip strength (p = 0.002) after treatment. PRTEE-Pain scores decreased in group 1 after treatment (p < 0.001), 1st (p < 0.001) and 3rd months (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MWM plus exercise and cold therapy is a safe and effective alternative with positive effects on elbow pain, functional capacity, and pain-free, maximum grip strength.