Vicenzino B, Wright A
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Man Ther. 1995 Nov;1(1):30-5. doi: 10.1054/math.1995.0247.
A single case study design was used to investigate the effect of a novel manipulative physiotherapy technique on the pain and dysfunction which characterises tennis elbow. The technique involves the physiotherapist sustaining a lateral glide of the elbow while the patient performs an activity which usually aggravates pain. To be judged successful, the technique should abolish pain. A pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure algometer were used to measure pain. Function was measured with a grip dynamometer, function VAS and pain-free function questionnaire. The study involved three phases in a ABC design. They were a 2-week pre-treatment assessment phase, a 2-week treatment phase and a 6-week post-treatment assessment phase. The patient received four treatment sessions over the treatment phase. The technique's effect was to reduce pain and increase function during and immediately after its application. Improvement in pain and function as measured by VASs was correlated (r = -0.92, p < 0.0001). The rate of pain reduction was greater than that for improvement in function. Although the single case study design limits generalisation of the results, it does provide evidence of the beneficial response obtained by use of this technique in patients affected by tennis elbow.
采用单病例研究设计，以调查一种新型手法物理治疗技术对以网球肘为特征的疼痛和功能障碍的影响。该技术要求物理治疗师在患者进行通常会加重疼痛的活动时，持续对肘部进行外侧滑动。若该技术被判定为成功，则应消除疼痛。使用疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）和压力痛觉计测量疼痛。使用握力计、功能VAS和无痛功能问卷测量功能。该研究采用ABC设计，包括三个阶段。分别是为期2周的治疗前评估阶段、为期2周的治疗阶段和为期6周的治疗后评估阶段。患者在治疗阶段接受了4次治疗。该技术的效果是在应用过程中及应用后立即减轻疼痛并增强功能。通过VAS测量的疼痛和功能改善具有相关性（r = -0.92，p < 0.0001）。疼痛减轻的速率大于功能改善的速率。尽管单病例研究设计限制了结果的普遍性，但它确实提供了证据，证明该技术在受网球肘影响的患者中使用时可获得有益反应。
