A comparative study of continuous ultrasound, placebo ultrasound and rest in epicondylalgia

In this study the pain alleviating effects of continuous ultrasound treatment in epicondylalgia has been compared to placebo ultrasound and to rest. Of 99 patients 33 were randomly allocated to receive continuous ultrasound treatment, 33 to placebo ultrasound treatment and 33 were recommended only rest. The 66 patients treated were each given 10 treatments over 5 to 6 weeks. The condition was significantly improved in the group treated with continuous ultrasound in 36%, in 30% given placebo, and in 24% of those recommended rest. A significant improvement was noted when the effect of continuous ultrasound was compared with rest, but continuous ultrasound treatment was not significantly better than placebo ultrasound.