Effectiveness of immersive virtual environment in adjunct to conventional physical therapy in adolescent athletes with sub-acute tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a condition that is depicted by presence of pain on the lateral aspect of elbow. It includes distress and tenderness that may be due to degeneration of tendons that link the muscles of forearm to the lateral epicondyle of elbow. This study focused on the effectiveness of Immersive-virtual environment in adjunct to conventional physical therapy on pain, hand grip strength and functional disability in adolescent athletes with sub-acute tennis elbow. The subjects analysed were a total of 46, diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and were divided into two groups, each of 23 participants. A control group was given conventional treatment, which included ice therapy, tens, wrist isometric exercises and silicon balls for resisted hand muscles exercises. The experimental group underwent conventional therapy plus Oculus Meta Quest 2 (virtual reality device) therapy. The experimental group played two games: These were: “Tennis Sports game” and “Creed – Rise to Glory”. Study duration was of 8 Months. Hand -Held Dynamometer, Patient Related Elbow Evaluation scale and Numeric Pain Rating Scale were used for outcome measures. Results revealed significant improvements in all measured parameters across both groups. Nonetheless, the participants undergoing physical therapy guided by Oculus and traditional rehabilitation showed better benefits at the conclusion of the treatment. These results demonstrate the possibility of immersive virtual environments to increase the range of therapeutic options, especially in the case of upper extremity injuries like lateral epicondylitis. The research highlights the potential of such interventions in improving the rehabilitation outcomes and hence can be used as a potential area of investigation as well as clinical practice.