Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Wrist Splint And Kinesiotaping Treatments In Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is a common condition that causes pain in the elbow and forearm, especially in people who perform repetitive wrist movements. In most patients, symptoms improve over time, but in some cases, pain may persist for longer periods.Exercise programs are commonly used in treatment to reduce pain and improve arm function. Kinesiology taping is another method that may help reduce pain by improving blood circulation and supporting muscle movement. Wrist-hand splints are also used to allow the affected muscles to rest by keeping the wrist in a supported position, which may help reduce pain and improve daily activities.The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of kinesiology taping and wrist splint use in the treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Lateral Epicondylitis; Tennis Elbow
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesiotaping; Other: Conservative treatment; Device: Wrist-Hand Splint

Detailed Description

This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of wrist splint and kinesiotaping treatments in patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis.

A total of 150 patients aged between 18 and 65 years who were clinically diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: the kinesiotaping group, the wrist splint group, and the control group, with 50 patients in each group.

The kinesiotaping group received kinesiotaping applications twice a week for a total of six sessions using muscle inhibition and epidermis-dermis-fascia (EDF) techniques. The wrist splint group was instructed to use a static wrist-hand splint for three weeks. The control group received cold application and a home exercise program.

All groups were provided with standardized cold application and home exercise programs. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at the fourth week after treatment. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer, functional status assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), quality of life assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and treatment satisfaction evaluated using the Roles and Maudsley score.

The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of kinesiotaping using muscle inhibition and epidermis-dermis-fascia techniques and wrist splint use on pain, functional outcomes, grip strength, and quality of life in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 150
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Konya
    • Konya, Konya, Turkey (Türkiye), 42200
      • Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-65 years
• Clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis
• Elbow pain for at least 3 months
• Ability to understand and comply with study procedures
• Written informed consent provided

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous surgery to the affected elbow
• Corticosteroid injection to the affected elbow within the last 6 months
• Neurological disorders affecting the upper extremity
• Inflammatory rheumatic diseases and fibromyalgia
• Fracture or trauma of the upper extremity within the last 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Participation in another clinical study during the study period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Kinesiotaping; Participants received kinesiotaping treatment in addition to standard cold application and a home exercise program.	Other: Kinesiotaping; Kinesiotaping was applied twice a week for a total of six sessions using muscle inhibition and epidermis-dermis-fascia (EDF) techniques. In addition, participants received standardized cold application and a home exercise program.; Other: Conservative treatment; Participants received standardized cold application and a home exercise program without kinesiotaping or splint use.
Other: Wrist-Hand Splint; Participants used a static wrist-hand splint in addition to standard cold application and a home exercise program.	Other: Conservative treatment; Participants received standardized cold application and a home exercise program without kinesiotaping or splint use.; Device: Wrist-Hand Splint; Participants were instructed to use a static wrist-hand splint for three weeks to maintain the wrist in a slightly extended position. Standardized cold application and a home exercise program were also provided.
Other: Control Group; Participants received conservative treatment consisting of cold application and a home exercise program.	Other: Conservative treatment; Participants received standardized cold application and a home exercise program without kinesiotaping or splint use.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity	Pain intensity was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at baseline, at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Grip strength	Grip strength was assessed using a Jamar dynamometer. Participants were seated with the shoulder in adduction, the elbow flexed at 90°, and the forearm positioned in neutral rotation between supination and pronation. Measurements were performed using the second and third handle settings of the dynamometer. Three consecutive trials were conducted, and the mean value was calculated and recorded in kilograms.	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at baseline, at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.
Upper extremity function	Upper extremity function and symptoms were evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The 30-item core section (DASH-FS) was used to assess functional status and symptom severity. In addition, the optional Work (DASH-W) and Sports/Music (DASH-SM) modules were administered when applicable. All items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and scores were calculated on a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The Turkish version of the DASH, which has established validity and reliability, was used in this study.	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at baseline, at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.
Health-related quality of life	Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The questionnaire evaluates eight domains, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical and emotional problems, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Each domain is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status.	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at baseline, at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.
Treatment satisfaction	Patient satisfaction with treatment will be evaluated using the Roles and Maudsley scoring system. Post-treatment outcomes will be classified into four categories: excellent, good, acceptable, and poor.	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.
Patient-Rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire) (PRFEQ)	The Patient-Rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire (PRFEQ), a scoring system with established Turkish validity and reliability, was used to assess arm-related pain and functional status over the previous week (19). The questionnaire evaluates pain with 5 items and function with 10 items. Pain items are scored on a 0-10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Functional items are also scored on a 0-10 cm VAS, ranging from 0 (extreme difficulty) to 10 (no difficulty). Mean pain and function scores, as well as the total score, are calculated for analysis.	All assessments were conducted by the same evaluator at baseline, at the end of the 3-week treatment period, and 4 weeks following treatment completion.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 11, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 11, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: rehabilitation; kinesiotaping; tennis elbow; lateral epicondylitis; wrist splint
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Elbow Tendinopathy; Elbow Injuries; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Arm Injuries; Tendinopathy; Tennis Elbow; Therapeutics; Conservative Treatment
• Other Study ID Numbers: Konya Beyhekim TRH

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect patient confidentiality and in accordance with ethical regulations. The data were used solely for statistical analysis within the scope of the study.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No