Caitlin George

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is a common and painful condition affecting an individual's elbow during upper limb activities such as gripping. Therapeutic taping is used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, but evidence for its effectiveness in LE is limited. A new product, biomechanical tape, may improve pain and function in LE; however, there is no research to support this. My research will systematically review the evidence regarding tape in LE. Then, using a randomised crossover trial I will examine the effects of biomechanical tape on pain and function in LE, compared to a placebo and control condition, to inform clinicians treating LE.

Despite a simple clinical diagnosis, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management of LE. Therapeutic tape is commonly used by clinicians; however, there is a paucity of high quality evidence to support its use. The systematic review will provide a summary of evidence regarding the effect of tape in LE; useful for clinicians seeking to use tape as a primary treatment or adjunct to other therapies. The crossover trial will provide novel information about the effect, if any, of biomechanical tape on pain and function in LE; potentially providing rationale for its use to treat LE in clinical practice.