Greek physiotherapists' contemporary knowledge and practice for lateral elbow tendinopathy: An online survey. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samaras, Panagiotis; Karanasios, Stefanos; Stasinopoulos, Dimitrios; Gioftsos, George
• Is Part Of: Musculoskeletal science and practice. Volume 57(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: LET Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy -- PROM Patient Rated Outcome Measures; Lateral elbow tendinopathy -- Physiotherapy -- Survey -- Evidence -- Practice; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Manipulation (Therapeutics); Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment; Physical therapy; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- therapy; Neuromuscular Diseases -- therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8630

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate physiotherapists' current knowledge and practice in the management of patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy, to explore associations between the participants' education and management preferences and to identify potential evidence-to-practice gaps by making comparisons with recent research recommendations. Design: An on-line cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Registered physiotherapists working in Greece with previous experience in the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy. Results: Three hundred and seventy eight responses met the inclusion criteria. Most responders (70.4%–91.5%) use pain provocation tests for the diagnosis of the condition, while a limited proportion uses patient rated outcome measures (6.9%–13%). Supervised exercise is the mainstay of rehabilitation (92.6%), followed by adjunctive research recommended treatment techniques such as manual therapy (72%) and advice (59.5%). Up to 83.6% of participants use adjunctive treatment techniques that are not recommended or without research recommendation (such as electrophysical agents, ice etc.). Physiotherapists with post-graduate education in musculoskeletal physiotherapy are almost three times more likely to choose only research recommended treatment approaches. There is a lack of consensus in an optimal exercise programme (type, volume, duration etc.) in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. Conclusion: Despite research recommendations a limited use of patient rated outcome measures in lateral elbow tendinopathy is recorded. Supervised exercise is the first line treatment option for most physiotherapists, although the optimal application is still unclear. A large proportion of physiotherapists apply adjunctive treatment techniques that are either ineffective or poorly researched suggesting a substantial evidence-to-practice gap. Better access to knowledge, organisational and peer-support can potentially help to bridge this gap. Highlights: Patient rated outcome measures utilization remains lower than recommended in LET assessment. Supervised exercise is the first-line treatment option for physiotherapists. Most physiotherapists use ineffective or poorly researched adjunctive treatments. Post-graduate education is more likely to result in research-based interventions.