This study aimed to compare the
peloid therapy and
kinesio tape treatments in chronic
lateral epicondylitis. While home exercise program and cold application were applied to the control group,
peloid therapy (5 days a week for 3 weeks at 45 °C for 30 min each day, a total of 15 treatment days) was applied in addition to the first group, and kinesio taping (6 treatment days 2 times a week) was applied to the second group. Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength with Jamar hydraulic dynamometer, Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Disabilities (DASH), quality of life in Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Patient-Rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire (PRFEQ) was recorded before treatment,
after treatment (third week), and 1 month after the end of treatment. In this study, 156 patients with chronic
lateral epicondylitis were included. In the follow-up of the patients, there was a statistically significant improvement in the hand grip strength, DASH, PRFEQ, VAS, and SF-36 scores in the 1st month follow-up after the treatment compared to the pre-treatment control in all groups (p < 0.001). At the end of the treatment, the hand grip strength (p = 0.002), DASH (p < 0.001), PRFEQ
pain (p < 0.001) and function (p = 0.007), SF-36 physical health (p = 0.002) scores were statistically significant in the
peloid therapy group compared to the control group. At the 1st month after the end of treatment, hand grip strength, VAS, DASH, PRFEQ
pain, function, daily activities, and SF-36 physical health scores (all of p < 0.001) were statistically significant in the peloid treatment group compared to the control group. Peloid treatment was found to be more effective than kinesio taping in SF-36 physical health (p = 0.007) and PRFEQ
pain (p = 0.003) scores in the 1st month follow-up
after treatment.
Peloid therapy in addition to exercise seems more effective in chronic
lateral epicondylitis. Randomized controlled long-term studies are needed.ClinicalTrials ID: NCT04687943.