EFFECTS OF MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE VERSUS INSTRUMENT-ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION ON PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/ecf7q053Keywords:
Lateral epicondylitis; lateral elbow tendinopathy; muscle energy technique; instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; pain; Numeric Pain Rating Scale.Abstract
Background: Lateral epicondylitis, also termed lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain over the lateral elbow that is typically aggravated by gripping and resisted wrist extension. Manual therapy approaches such as Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) are used in rehabilitation, but direct comparative evidence remains limited.
Objective: To assess and compare the short-term effects of MET and IASTM on pain after four weeks of treatment in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 38 patients recruited through purposive sampling over an overall study duration of almost nine months. Participants were 25-45 years old, had a clinical diagnosis of tennis elbow with a positive Cozen test, and had mild to moderate subacute pain. Nineteen participants were included in each treatment group. Group A received MET and Group B received IASTM; both groups received moist heat before the principal intervention. Treatment was provided over four weeks. Pain was assessed using the 0-10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) before treatment and after four weeks.
Results: The groups had comparable baseline NPRS scores (Group A: 7.57 +/- 1.26; Group B: 7.63 +/- 1.11; p = 0.892). After four weeks, mean NPRS was lower in Group A than Group B (2.68 +/- 0.74 vs 4.63 +/- 0.89; p < 0.001). The descriptive mean reduction was 4.89 points in the MET group and 3.00 points in the IASTM group.
Conclusion: Pain scores decreased in both treatment groups over four weeks, with a greater short-term reduction in NPRS observed in the MET group. These findings support MET as a potentially useful short-term pain-management approach for lateral epicondylitis, while interpretation should consider the quasi-experimental design and short follow-up period.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rabia Akram, Robab Batool, Sadia Batool, Faiza Altaf, Ghulam Fatima, Rohail Raza, Alishfa Zahoor, Dr Rafia Imtiaz (Author)
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