Evidence Digest
IllustrativeSample issue · Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
Exercise loading for chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy: what the latest trial adds
3-minute read · 1 randomised controlled trial
Key findings
- 1
A 12-week progressive isotonic loading programme produced larger improvements in pain-free grip strength than a wait-and-see control at 12 weeks, with the between-group difference narrowing by 26 weeks.
- 2
Patient-reported function (PRTEE) improved in both arms; the loading group reached a clinically meaningful change a median 4 weeks earlier.
- 3
Adherence was the strongest predictor of 26-week outcome — completing ≥80% of prescribed sessions was associated with better functional gains, irrespective of arm.
Limitations: Single-centre trial, n=84, unblinded assessors for self-reported outcomes. Effect sizes attenuated at long-term follow-up; generalisability to overhead-athlete populations is limited.