Bakgrund: Lateral epikondyalgi är en vanlig åkomma hos den allmänna befolkningen, ofta med långvarig smärta och funktionsnedsättning som följd. I dagsläget finns ingen konsensus om vilken behandling som är bäst vid epikondyalgi, men tejpning anses minska smärtan och underlätta rehabiliteringen. De senaste åren har ny forskning publicerats på tejpning vid epikondyalgi men få systematiska litteraturstudier finns. En sammanställning av den nya litteraturen på tejpning kan leda till tydligare riktlinjer för behandling vid epikondyalgi. Syfte: Systematiskt identifiera, granska och värdera evidensen gällnade tejpnings effekt på smärta vid epikondyalgi. Metod: Systematisk litteraturstudie. Sökningen genomfördes i databasen PubMed. Artiklarna granskades med PEDro-skalan samt GRADE från Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering (SBU). Resultat: Åtta artiklar inkluderades i studien, med totalt 279 deltagare. Studierna fick mellan fem och åtta poäng på PEDro-skalan. Evidensgradering enligt GRADE visade på begränsat underlag för kinesiotejp (KT) avseende smärta, men otillräckligt underlag identifierades för samma metod gällande pain-free grip strength (PFGS) och pressure pain threshold (PPT). Otillräckligt underlag identifierades även för diamanttejp och biomekanisk tejpning på smärta, PFGS och PPT. Det är överlag motstridiga resultat för om de olika tejpningsteknikerna förbättrar smärtan hos patienter med epikondyalgi. Konklusion: Evidensen för tejpning vid epikondyalgi är överlag lågt. Fler välutförda studier med liknande frågeställning och metod är av vikt för att möjliggöra förtydligande av evidensen och användningsområdet för de olika tejpningsteknikerna. / Background: Lateral epicondylalgia is a common injury, with a long period of pain and disability as symptoms. At present there is no consensus on which treatments are the best for epicondylalgia, but taping is considered to reduce pain and facilitate rehabilitation. In recent years, new research has been published on taping in epicondylalgia, but few systematic reviews are available. A compilation of the new literature on taping may lead to a clarification in the guidelines for treatment of epicondylalgia. Objective: Systematically identify, review, and examine evidence regarding the effects of taping on pain in individuals with epicondylalgia. Methods: Systematic review. The search was conducted in the database PubMed. The studies were assessed according to PEDro scale and GRADE from Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering (SBU). Results: Eight articles were included in the study, with a total of 279 participants. The studies received between five and eight points on the PEDro scale. According to GRADE there were limited evidence for kinesiotape (KT) being able to reduce pain and insufficient evidence for KT having any effect on pain-free grip strength (PFGS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Insufficient evidence was also identified for diamond tape and biomechanical tape for pain, PFGS and PPT. Conclusion: The evidence for taping in epicondylalgia were in general low. Further well-conducted studies with similar issues and methods are important to clarify the evidence and the use of the different taping techniques.

Problem Statement: A paucity of research exists describing the relationship between lateral epicondylalgia (LE) and upper extremity (UE) strength, range of motion or joint characteristics, between the shoulder, elbow and wrist despite the close kinetic relationship. The primary purpose of this study was to describe these characteristics of the UE in female tennis players and a control group. Methods: This was a descriptive study of three groups: sample of active adult females with no elbow pain (control), non-symptomatic tennis players (NSTP), and symptomatic tennis players (STP) with LE. A convenience sample of three groups, 21 women each was recruited. A questionnaire was completed by each participant and a screening procedure was performed to confirm group assignment and gather tennis specific information. The dependent variables were collected at a one-time session for the dominant extremity of each subject and included UE passive motion, mean UE adjusted strength values, strength ratios, elbow carrying angle, posterior shoulder tightness, anterior glenohumeral joint (GHJ) laxity and shoulder impingement tests. Results: The STP group demonstrated significantly greater passive forearm pronation, higher internal/external rotation strength ratios, increased frequency of anterior GHJ hyperlaxity and positive Hawkins-Kennedy test results. Grip strength taken in elbow extension was significantly weaker in the STP group compared with the NSTP and control groups. The strength ratio of the upper/lower trapezius was significantly greater in the STP compared to NSTP group, but was not significantly different from the control group. The STP group demonstrated a trend toward greater passive motion in elbow hyperextension and supination, and a higher wrist flexion/extension ratio that did not reach statistical significance. Both tennis player groups demonstrated limited passive wrist flexion and shoulder internal rotation when compared to controls. No significant differences were found in tennis playing factors between the groups. Conclusion: Impairments in strength, range of motion, or motor control are hypothesized to contribute to the altered kinematics of the UE and may potentially lead to LE in recreational tennis players. Recognizing risk factors a priori may provide a framework to guide the physical evaluation, treatment plan and preventative techniques for the tennis player exhibiting symptoms of LE.