Mobilization with Movement versus Cyriax techniques for athletes with lateral epicondylitis

Mobilization With Movement Verses Cyriax Techniques Among Athletes With Lateral Epicondylitis

This study will try two hands-on treatments—Mobilization with Movement and Cyriax techniques—to see which better reduces pain and improves grip strength and elbow proprioception in athletes aged 25–40 with recent lateral epicondylitis.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (estimated)
• Ages: 25 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Lahore (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07424794 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 56 athletes aged 25–40 with clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis of less than three months' duration and randomly assign them to either a Mobilization with Movement (MWM) group or a Cyriax techniques group. Both groups receive 16 treatment sessions over four weeks, plus standardized baseline care and adjunctive progressive strengthening, proprioceptive training, and sport-specific exercises. Outcomes are measured at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks and include joint position sense for proprioception, the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation for pain and function, and grip strength measured by a handheld dynamometer. The study uses sealed-envelope randomization, purposive sampling for recruitment, and is conducted at a physiotherapy center affiliated with the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital under ethical oversight.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are racquet- or throwing-sport athletes aged 25–40 with clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis lasting less than three months and demonstrable proprioceptive impairment in the affected limb.

Not a fit: Patients with other elbow pathologies, recent corticosteroid injections, neurological or systemic disorders that affect proprioception or healing, prior upper-limb surgery, or pregnancy are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the better-performing technique could give athletes faster pain relief, improved grip strength, and improved elbow proprioception to help them return to sport sooner.

How similar studies have performed: Both MWM and Cyriax-based techniques have shown some short-term benefits for tennis elbow in prior studies, but high-quality head-to-head comparisons are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Both male and female population including sports persons(only throw ball players e.g racquet players)
2. Population with age range of 25 - 40 years.
3. Include only clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis patients
4. Patients with proprioception impairments in affected limb

Symptoms duration less than 3 months, not longer than 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other Elbow Pathologies such as cubital tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, or osteoarthritis of the elbow.
2. Recent Corticosteroid Injections in the affected elbow within the past 3 months.
3. Neurological conditions affecting proprioception (e.g., multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy).
4. Autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or connective tissue disorders that may influence healing or proprioception.
5. History of surgical intervention in the affected upper limb.(Karthikeyan) Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

• University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mohammad Affan, MSPTN — The University of Lahore, Lahore
• Study coordinator: Mohammad Affan, MSPTN

Conditions Lateral Epicondylitis; Mobilization with Movement; Cyriax Technique; Deep Transverse Friction Massage; Mill's Manipulation