ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of dry needling and deep friction massage in the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Methodology: Thirty two patients with lateral epicondylitis were divided into two groups using lottery method who were meeting the inclusion & exclusion criteria. Both groups (Group A deep friction massage and Group B dry needling) received six treatment sessions at frequency of two sessions per week. Assessments were conducted before intervention and after the end of 2nd, 4th and 6th intervention session using numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), patient related tennis elbow evaluation questionnaire (PRTEEQ) and pain free grip strength using a hand dynamometer.

Results: The mean pain reduction in dry needling and deep friction massage group was 3.52 ± 0.59 and 2.86 ± 0.64 respectively making dry needling a better intervention in reducing pain. The mean change in the total score of PRTEEQ across dry needing and deep friction group was 22.35 ± 7.07 and 20.26 ± 7.18 respectively making both intervention equally effective in reducing pain. In terms of mean change in the strength across dry needing and deep friction group was 7.412 ± 0.563 and 7.533 ± 0.624 respectively making both intervention equally effective in improvement of strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Conclusion: This study suggests that both dry needling and deep friction massage are effective in the improvement of strength and in reducing pain but comparing mean difference of pre and post outcome measure score dry needling is a better intervention in reducing pain in patients with lateral epicondylitis.