Comparison of the effects of Kinesio tape and high-intensity laser therapy applied in conjunction with physical therapy on pain, grip strength, and functional level in patients with lateral epicondylitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Study Summary

54 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis (LE) were randomized to receive physical therapy (PT) alone, PT combined with Kinesio taping (KT), or PT combined with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), with 53 patients completing the study. The primary outcomes of interest were pain measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), hand grip strength, and functional status assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE). Secondary outcomes included pain sensitivity, measured using the pressure pain threshold (PPT), and early treatment responses. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks (end of treatment), and 6 weeks. Overall, the results revealed that all three interventions significantly improved pain, function, grip strength, and pain sensitivity, although only the HILT group demonstrated continued improvements in pain and function between weeks 2 and 6. These findings suggested that adding HILT to conventional PT could provide more sustained short-term improvements in pain and function among patients with chronic LE.