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Pain, functional disability, and psychologic status in tennis elbow
Omid Alizadehkhaiyat1, Anthony C Fisher, Graham J Kemp
1Musculoskeletal Science Research Group, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. omid1348@liv.ac.uk
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|June 19, 2007
Summary
Tennis elbow patients experience significantly more pain and functional disability. Anxiety and depression are also notably higher, underscoring the need for psychological assessment in treatment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Psychology
Background:
- Tennis elbow (TE) is a common condition causing lateral elbow pain.
- Psychological factors like anxiety and depression may influence TE severity and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pain and functional disability in tennis elbow patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and tennis elbow.
Main Methods:
- 16 tennis elbow patients and 16 healthy controls completed validated questionnaires.
- Assessments included upper limb function (DASH, PFQ, PRWE) and psychological state (HADS).
- Independent t-tests were used for statistical comparison between groups.
Main Results:
- Tennis elbow patients reported significantly higher pain and functional disability across all upper limb measures.
- Elevated anxiety and depression scores were observed in tennis elbow patients compared to controls (P<0.001).
- 55% of patients screened positive for probable anxiety and 36% for probable depression.
Conclusions:
- Tennis elbow is associated with substantial pain and functional impairment.
- Elevated psychological distress (anxiety, depression) is prevalent in tennis elbow patients.
- Integrated assessment of physical and psychological factors is recommended for effective TE management.
