Table 1 Studies considered for inclusion

[11]

Basford et al.

2000

^apain in last 24 h maximal tenderness on palpation

3S/W for 4 Ws

2 Ws, 4 Ws, follow-up

1–17 Ms

LLLT vs placebo

^amaximum grip strength pinch strength

^apain with grasp pain with pinch

[12]

Bisset et al.

2009

reaction time

8S over 6 Ws

6, 52 Ws

6–89 Ms

Physical therapy vs WLC

[13]

Haake et al.

2002

side effects

1S/W over? Ws

?

1–99 Ms

ECSWT vs placebo

[7]

Ho et al.

2007

mechanical pain threshold

10S over 3 Ws

1, 2, 3 Ws, follow-up 3 Ws

3–15 Ms

Microcurrent & exercise vs exercise

^bpain-free handgrip strength

^bmaximum handgrip strength pain during max grip

[14]

Lam et al.

2007

mechanical pain threshold

3S/W for 3 Ws

Session 5, 9 & 3 Ws after completion

1–9 Ms

LLLT vs placebo

^amaximum grip strength

^apain after grip strength test

Disability score

DASH (sports/music)

DASH (work)

[9]

Martinez-Silvestrini et al.

2005

pain free grip strength

Daily for 6 Ws

6 Ws

3+ Ms

Stretching vs stretching & concentric vs stretching & eccentric strengthening

^bVAS pain

PRFEQ

^bdash function

[15]

Nourbakhsh et al.

2008

^cmaximum grip strength

6S over 2–3 Ws

Post treatment, follow-up

6–60 Ms

Low frequency electrical stimulation vs placebo

^apain intensity last 24 h functional level (adapted patient specific function scale) limited activity due to pain

[10]

Peterson et al.

2011

pain MVC

1S/D exercise regimen over 3 Ms

1, 2, 3 Ms

3+ Ms

Exercise vs WLC

pain MME

^bmuscular strength activity score well-being complaint score

[16]

Pettrone et al.

2005

^apain during Thomsen test function activity score overall impression

1S/W over 3 Ws

1, 4, 8, 12 Ws; 6, 12 Ms only reported at 12 Ws

6+ Ms

ECSWT vs placebo

^agrip strength adverse events

[17]

Rompe et al.

1996

night pain

1S/W over 3 Ws

3, 6, 24 Ws after last application

12+ Ms

ECSWT vs sham

resting pain

pressure pain

Thomsen test

finger extension

chair test

^cgrip strength (Mucha and Wannske)

[18]

Rompe et al.

2001

pressure pain

1S/W over 3 Ws

12 Ws, 12 Ms

12–208 Ms

ECSWT vs ECSWT + manual therapy

Thomsen test resisted finger extension chair test

[19]

Rompe et al.

2004

^apain during Thomsen test

1S/W over 3 Ws

3, 12 Ms

12+ Ms

ECSWT vs sham

Roles and Maudsley score upper extremity function scale

^bdynanometer test

[20]

Speed et al.

2002

^aPain (day and night) night pain 50 % improvement from baseline

1S/M for 3 Ms

1; 2; 3 Ms

3–42 Ms

ECSWT vs placebo

[21]

Staples et al.

2008

^aoverall pain index function index (0–100 VAS) pain-free function index dash function (0–100) dash sport (0–100) dash work (0–100) pain free grip ratio

1S/W over 3 Ws

6 Ws; 3, 6 Ms

6–520 Ws

ECSWT vs sham

^bmax grip strength SF-36 role limitation physical bodily pain general health vitality social function role limitation emotional mental health

health transition problem elicitation technique PET global health

[22]

Sterigioulas et al.

2007

pain at rest

2S/W over first 4 Ws 1S/W over second 4 Ws

8 Ws, 8 Ws after end of treatment

5 Ws-12 Ys

LLLT & exercise vs placebo and exercise

pain at palpation

^apain on isometric testing pain during middle finger test

^apain during grip strength test

[47]

Öken et al.

2008

Grip strength

5S/W over two weeks

2 Ws, 4 Ws after end of treatment

1–24 Ms

Ultrasound & hot pack vs LLLT & hot pack vs brace control group

Pain severety

Global assessment of improvement

[23]

Uzunca et al.

2007

resting pain

5S/W over 3 Ws

3 Ws, 3 Ms

1–11 Ms

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) vs sham PEMF

^aactivity pain

night pain

pain during resisted wrist

dorsiflexion pain during resisted forearm supination algometric pain threshold