PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

There are very few studies available in which High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation shows the efficacy in combination with other technique on reducing pain, improving grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis. However, to the best of our knowledge there is no studies which shows the individual efficacy of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the efficacy of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

AIM:

To find out the efficacy of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

 OBJECTIVES:

1       To find out the efficacy of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation along with Moist hot pack and Standardized exercise program on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

2       To find out the efficacy of Moist hot pack and Standardized exercise program on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

3       To compare the efficacy of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation along with Moist hot pack, Standardized exercise program and Moist hot pack, Standardized exercise program alone on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

HYPOTHESES

NULL HYPOTHESIS (H₀): There is no statistically significant effect of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS (H₁): There is statistically significant effect of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation on pain, grip strength and function in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis.

PROCEDURE

Approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) will be taken before commencement of the study. All subjects having elbow pain or diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and referred to the department of Physiotherapy from the Assessment clinic (ASC) of NILD will be approached with the proposal of the study. Minimum of 34 subjects with lateral epicondylitis will be assessed and screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects meeting the exclusion criteria will not be included. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be explained in details about the study in their preferred language.Written Informed consent in their preferred language will be obtained from the subjects agreeing to participate. Then the demographic data will be collected. The subjects will be randomly divided into two groups by using Block randomization method by computer generated random blocks. All the subjects in Group-A (n=17) will be treated with  High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation, Moist hot pack, Standardized exercise program and Home Exercise Program (HEP) with Ergonomic care for 10 sessions (5sessions per week for 2weeks). All the subjects in Group- B (n=17) will be treated with Moist hot pack, Standardized exercise  program and Home Exercise Program (HEP) with Ergonomic care  for 10 sessions (5 sessions per week for 2 weeks). After completion of 10 sessions of intervention, all subjects will be adviced to continue HEP.

 The data for Pain by Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Pain-free Grip Strength by Hand-held Dynamometer (HHD) and Function by Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire will be taken at the pre intervention and post intervention i.e at the end of 10^th sessions (5 sessions per week). Rescue medications duly prescribed by physician will be continued along with the physiotherapeutic approach in both the groups during the study.