Effectiveness of Eccentric Exercises on Selfie Elbow

Background: Selfitis is an genuine mental condition where people have an obsessive-compulsive desire to take photos of one self and post them on social media as a way to make up for the lack of self- esteem. While clicking a selfie, there is always a possibility that by incorrect stretching of the tendons, an injury can occur to joints like the elbow. Selfie elbow is more of an abnormal and repetitive loading of muscles around elbow, leading to micro ruptures, which cause inflammation and pain. Hence, this study intended to analyze the effects of eccentric exercises on selfie elbow.

Aim: To analyze the effectiveness of eccentric exercises on selfie elbow.

Method: This is an experimental study done in Faculty of physiotherapy, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute. After approval of the study by Institutional Review Board, both male and female with severe selfitis (using selfie behaviour questionnaire) between 18-21 years having pain on lateral epicondyle & lateral forearm with positive cozens were included in the study. The subjects with any musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders and having pain due to other reasons were excluded. Eccentric exercises protocol was given for four weeks along with patient education program. All the exercises was performed 5times/weeks, 3 sets, 1 set = 15 rep, 1 min rest between each Set.

Results: A Positive Association was found between the selfie behaviour scale & oxford elbow pain questionnaire in subjects with selfitis and on comparing the oxford elbow pain questionnaire score significant improvement in the post test mean value was seen which suggest that eccentric exercise program is effective in selfie elbow.

Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that proper patient education and eccentric exercise program among selfie takers with sefie elbow will reduce the pain over the lateral epicondyle.