The effects of Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment (BTE) intervention on wrist strength, active range of motion and self-report activities of daily living in lateral epicondylitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BTE intervention on wrist strength, active range of motion, and activities of daily living with persons who were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Data were collected from ten subjects with lateral epicondylitis as diagnosed by a Board Certified Hand Surgeon. Each subject was evaluated for wrist strength in the involved hand by BTE isometric testing, active range of motion and given self report ADL questionnaire. Each measurement was documented with a set of pre-test and post-test values. All subjects received the same type of BTE's wrist exercises in twelve treatment sessions. Results indicated that BTE significantly increased wrist strength and motion and improved the performance of activities of daily living in the ten subjects. These results suggest that occupational therapists can reliably use BTE exercises in the rehabilitation of lateral epicondylitis patients.