Effect of Home-Based Supervised Exercise Program on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients with Tennis Elbow

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Tennis elbow (lateral elbow tendinopathy) is a degenerative condition resulting from overuse of the common extensor tendon, leading to lateral elbow pain and functional impairment that can last for months. Rehabilitation through exercise, especially progressive loading, is the primary method and proves more effective than passive therapies in enhancing pain and function. There is minimal local evidence; hence, this study assessed a home-based supervised exercise regimen aimed at alleviating pain and disability in tennis elbow. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 50 tennis elbow patients at BIRDEM, Dhaka, in 2025. Participants underwent a 4-week home-based supervised exercise program including stretching, eccentric strengthening, and forearm mobility exercises. Pain and disability were assessed using VAS and PRTEE at baseline and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26.0. Results: Fifty patients suffering from tennis elbow finished the study and follow-up. Pain intensity (VAS) significantly reduced from 7.5 ± 1.0 at baseline to 2.1 ± 0.7 by Week 8, and functional disability (PRTEE) enhanced from 58.9 ± 9.6 to 18.3 ± 5.9 (both p < 0.001). Exercise adherence was strong in 78% of participants, 88% experienced only mild discomfort at Week 8, and 72% reached significant clinical improvement, reflecting positive results after the supervised home-based exercise program. Conclusion: A supervised, structured exercise program at home significantly decreased pain and enhanced functional ability in individuals with tennis elbow, showing strong adherence and positive clinical results. These results endorse its application as a feasible, attainable, and economical conservative therapy choice.