ABSTRACT

Background: Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common overuse injury affecting the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, leading to pain, reduced grip strength, and functional limitations. Among the various physiotherapeutic techniques used, Cyriax physiotherapy and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilisation (DSTM) have shown promising outcomes. However, few studies directly compare their effectiveness when both are applied alongside standard conventional physiotherapy. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Cyriax physiotherapy and DSTM, both administered in conjunction with conventional physiotherapy, on pain reduction and grip strength improvement in individuals with tennis elbow. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving 20 participants clinically diagnosed with unilateral lateral epicondylitis. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups of 10 each: ? Group A received Cyriax physiotherapy (Deep Transverse Friction Massage and Mill’s Manipulation) along with conventional physiotherapy (ultrasound, stretching, and strengthening exercises). ? Group B received DSTM along with the same conventional physiotherapy protocol. All participants underwent treatment three times per week for 3 weeks. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and grip strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxonsigned-rank test for within-group comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U test for between-group analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain and grip strength post-intervention (p < 0.001). Group A (Cyriax) demonstrated greater pain reduction, while Group B (DSTM) showed more pronounced improvement in grip strength. The between-group difference was statistically significant in favor of DSTM for grip strength (p < 0.001), though the pain reduction difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Cyriax physiotherapy and DSTM, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, are both effective in managing symptoms of tennis elbow. Cyriax appears more effective for pain relief, whereas DSTM may yield superior improvements in grip strength. Clinical application should be based on the specific functional goals of the patient. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up is recommended. Keywords: Cyriax Physiotherapy, Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilisation, Pain, Grip Strength, Tennis Elbow
Publication date: 01/07/2026

https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/July/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10312.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.7.10312