Effect of graded motor imagery in patients with lateral epicondylalgia

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineEffect of Graded motor imagery in patients with Lateral Epicondylalgia newline. newlineBackground: Lateral epicondylalgia is a persistent condition that has a significant impact on newlinesociety. Cortical representation of the body is important for normal movement. Cortical newlinereorganization could be linked to the ongoing presence or recurrence of pain in Lateral newlineEpicondylalgia patients. GMI intervention follows the principle of gradually increasing activity, newlineintended to promote reorganization of the cortex without triggering the protective pain response newlinePurpose: The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Graded Motor Imagery newline(GMI) when combined with conventional treatment on Kinesiophobia, pain, hand grip strength, and newlinefunctional ability in patients with lateral epicondylalgia over a period of 6 weeks newlineMethodology: A total of Forty-two patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylalgia were included in this newlineprospective randomized, controlled trial and randomly assigned to either the motor imagery group (n=21) or the newlinecontrol group (n=21). The GMI group underwent a two-week protocol comprising limb laterality recognition, newlineimagined movements, and mirror movements, in addition to conventional therapy, while the control group newlinereceived conventional therapy alone. Pre and post assessments were conducted using the Visual Analogue Scale, newlinePatient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale, Hand Dynamometer, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. newlineResult: Statistical analysis for this study was done using SPSS version20 with significance newlinelevel of plt0.05. Within-group analysis revealed a significant difference in pain, kinesiophobia, newlinefunction, and grip strength in both the GMI and control groups. However, between-group newlinecomparison demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain, kinesiophobia, function, and newlinegrip strength in the GMI group compared to the control group newlineConclusion: The incorporation of Graded Motor Imagery along with conventional exercises newlineresulted in significant reductions in pain, kinesiophobia (fear of movement), and improvements in newlinefunction and grip strength for patients with lateral epicondylalgia newlineKeywords: Graded Motor Imagery, Lateral Epicondylalgia,Kinesiophobia,VAS newlinePain,function,PRTEE,grip strength newline newline