Results
epicondylitis, repetitive elbow movements, disability
EPICONDYLITIS
The target sample size was 555 (185 per group) estimating 90% power at 5% significance to detect an increase from 51% to 70% in the proportion free from disability at 26 weeks, allowing for 20% dropout [Demographic and work characteristics of employed participants in the ARM trialAt 26 weeks, 271 workers provided mDASH scores, at which time 35 (42%), 32 (36%) and 35 (35%) of workers in the advice to remain active, advice to rest and early physiotherapy groups, respectively, reported full recovery from disability in all 11 activities (mDASH = 0). Proportion of workers free from disability according to mDASH at 6, 13 and 26 weeks in each arm.The series of mixed-effects models showed no difference in the odds of achieving recovery at 26 weeks when comparing those who were, with those who were not, doing: manual versus non-manual work; keyboard use >4 hours/day; repetitive movements of the wrist/fingers >1 hour/day; repetitive elbow movements >1 hour/day; vibration of the hands/arms and lifting/carrying weights >10 kg (data not shown). Likewise, there were no differences in sickness absence reported at 6, 13 or 26 weeks or in rates of leaving work amongst people in the three groups no matter whether they were doing a manual job or physically demanding occupational activities.
Impact of treatment on odds of recovery at 26 weeks (mDASH = 0) comparing response by mechanical and psychosocial work characteristics for the employed participants in the ARM trialThe mixed-effects model including 82 workers with epicondylitis (yes versus no) found no difference in odds of recovery (mDASH = 0) at 26 weeks for those with epicondylitis as compared with those without (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.59–1.73, 