Comparing the effectiveness of mulligan mobilization versus cyriax approach in the management of patients with subacute lateral epicondylitis

Abstract Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Mulligan mobilisation versus Cyriax approach in the management of patients with subacute lateral epicondylitis. Methods: The clinical trial was conducted at the District Headquarter Hospital, Bahawalnagar, Pakistan, from September to December 2018, and comprised lateral epicondylitis patients having symptoms for >2 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of physical tests and musculoskeletal ultrasound. The subjects were randomly allocated to two equal groups A and B. Group A received deep transverse friction and Mill’s manipulation according to Cyriax approach, while group B received Mulligan mobilisation with movement techniques. Patient-related tennis elbow evaluation index was used to collect data which was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 60 patients, there were 30(50%) in each of the two groups. The overall mean age was 35.27±7.30 years, and 38(63.3%) participants were male.  After 4 weeks of treatment sessions, both groups showed significant improvements (p<0.05) in pain and functional disability scores. Group A showed significantly more improvement (p<0.05) in pain subscale scores compared to group B, while group B showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in functional disability subscale scores compared to group A. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups on total the patient-related tennis elbow evaluation index score. Conclusion: Both Mulligan mobilisation with movement and Cyriax approach decreased pain and improved functional status in lateral epicondylitis patients. Key Words: Elbow, Lateral epicondylitis, Massage, Mobilisation, Physiotherapy. Continuous..,