Pulsed negative pressure myofascial vacuum therapy and percutaneous electrolysis in the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lateral Epicondylalgia (LE) represents one of the most common injuries of the upper limb. It is necessary to find effective treatments that reduce pain and increase functionality.

Purpose: To determine the effects of an integrated intervention of Pulsed Negative Pressure Myofascial Vacuum Therapy (VT), Percutaneous Electrolysis (PE) and eccentric exercise (EE) in the treatment of LE compared versus Manual Therapy soft tissue mobilization (MT) and Ultrasound therapy (US) and EE.

Study design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Forty participants, with unilateral LE, were randomly divided into two groups: VT + PE + EE group (n = 20) and MT + US + EE group (n = 20). The VT + PE + EE group received one weekly session for four weeks and a regimen of EE daily at-home, and the MT + US + EE group received 10 sessions over a period of two weeks and a regimen of EE daily at-home. Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), range of motion (ROM) pressure pain threshold (PPT) and function (PRTEE questionnaire) were measured before treatment, at the end of treatment, and at one- and three-month follow-ups.

Results: The statistically significant improvements were found post-treatment, favoring the VT + PE group in pain intensity (p < 0.001; ES = 0.408), PRTEE-S Pain (p = 0.001; ES = 0.377), PRTEE-S Specific function (p = 0.004; ES = 0.306) and PRTEE-S Total (p = 0.001; ES = 0.355). The VT + PE + EE treatment showed greater effectiveness than the MT + US + EE treatment at immediate post-treatment, as well as at the one-month and three-months follow-up.

Conclusions: VT and PE added to an EE program could be an effective treatment for pain, ROM, PPT, and function in patients with LE.