People suffering from tennis elbow could bounce back more easily, thanks to University of Alberta research that tested the effectiveness of a new, non-surgical therapeutic device on the market.
In a scientific trial, 19 adults with the painful condition, which is caused by overuse of forearm muscles, wore an ArmLock sleeve every day for 30 minutes over a period of 12 weeks. Factors related to function and pain levels were measured at the start of the trial, then at six weeks and again at 12 weeks.
The preliminary results of the study showed that wearing the device daily led to significant improvement in more than 80 per cent of the condition’s effects, including increased muscle extensibility, better grip strength and reduced pain intensity. Participants also self-reported decreased pain and disability.
“Though more research is needed to confirm the findings, this work builds scientific evidence for what appears to be a promising rehabilitation technology that could help people avoid surgery,” says Adriana Ríos Rincón, who co-led the study with Antonio Miguel-Cruz.
Conducted through the U of A’s Product Evaluation and Application Research Lab and the Tech4Play and Wellbeing Research Lab, the testing also contributes to an innovative, diverse provincial economy, adds Miguel-Cruz.
“By supporting the validation and future commercialization of locally developed medical devices, this work aligns with Alberta’s strategy to strengthen the technology and innovation sector, create high-quality jobs, attract investment and diversify the provincial economy beyond traditional industries.”