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The effects of a compressive tissue flossing program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in U.S. service
John E Elam1, Tara A Haugen1, Katelyn A Culley1
1Army-Baylor University Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy Program, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Background:
Lateral elbow tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal diagnosis in the U.S. military population. Compressive tissue flossing is a novel intervention that uses a latex elastic band to compress the tissues and restrict the circulation of fluids in the targeted area for a short time.
Purpose:
This study assessed the effects of a compressive tissue flossing program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in U.S. military service members.
Study Design:
A within-subjects one-way repeated measures design was used.
Methods:
A convenience sample of 35 U.S. military service members were recruited within the Joint Base San Antonio area to participate in this study. Outcome measures from a single sample were collected at baseline pre-test/post-test and then repeated at the 1-week follow-up. A repeated measures ANOVA, within factors, and paired samples t-test were used to compare quantitative data.
Results:
Pain was significantly decreased at the different time points during the exercise intervention, F (2, 68) = 44.01, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.56. Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in function at 1 week follow-up, t(34) = --5.53, p < 0.001. Grip Strength of the affected extremity demonstrated a statistically significant increase at the different time points during the exercise intervention, F(2, 68) = 23.91, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.4, with a large effect size.
Conclusions:
Compressive tissue flossing may carry implications to acutely decrease a patient's subjective report of pain, decrease their perceived rate of disability, and improve maximal grip strength. This intervention used in the clinic or as a home program could produce immediate improvement of the patient's symptoms, decrease the number of appointments needed to treat the condition, enhance access to care, save time for providers and patients, and allow for use in deployed settings.
