People with tennis elbow needed for study

The University of Queensland is seeking volunteers to assist with a study on pain on the outer side of the elbow (tennis elbow).

Senior lecturer in physiotherapy and project senior investigator Dr Bill Vicenzino said the researchers needed the help of participants aged between 18 and 65, who had pain in one elbow lasting longer than six weeks. The pain is usually aggravated by activities such as gripping, carrying objects, typing or even playing sport.

"The study aims to test a variety of physiotherapy handling skills on a range of measures, such as pain, grip strength and nerve function," he said.

"Tennis elbow is a common condition which usually results from overusing the arm and hands but sometimes for seemingly inexplicable reasons.

"Research in our laboratory has shown that tennis elbow is associated with deficits in grip strength and the body's pain system. Surprisingly, little is known about the effects of physiotherapy on tennis elbow and many of these classical signs.

"Consequently, there is a lack of good quality information that can direct clinicians in helping those who suffer from this affliction."

The researchers involved in this work are assembling a profile of these effects to better inform clinical practice.

Dr Vicenzino has recently completed a PhD in tennis elbow studies. Dr Vicenzino found that some new procedures used by physiotherapists may in fact activate primitive bodily systems that control pain and are located in the lower brain regions.

Dr Vicenzino and PhD student Tina Souvlis have shown that the activated brain system does not involve endorphin (the body's own opioid) related mechanisms.

He said project participants would be required to attend three sessions of one hour duration at the Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury Research Unit, Physiotherapy Department, The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus (free parking available).

People wishing to be part of the project can contact PhD student Yo Aatit , telephone (07) 3365 4692, Dr Bill Vicenzino telephone (07) 3365 2781 or email: tenniselbowresearch@hotmail.com

Media: Further information, Dr Bill Vicenzino telephone (07) 3365 2781.