Illness Perception and Treatment Expectations in Lateral Elbow Pain

This cross-sectional, correlational study aims to determine the predictors of illness perception and treatment expectations in adults with chronic lateral elbow pain. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical findings (pain intensity, pain duration, elbow-specific function) and psychosocial variables (pain self-efficacy, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing) will be examined as candidate predictors of two patient-centred constructs: illness perception, measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and treatment expectation, measured with the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire. Data will be analysed using hierarchical multiple linear regression in three predictor blocks. The study is reported according to the STROBE statement.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Diagnosis of lateral epicondylalgia or lateral elbow pain made by an orthopaedic surgeon or physiatrist * Pain intensity of at least 4 on the Numeric Rating Scale * Pain duration of at least 12 weeks (chronic) * Willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of any surgical procedure of the upper extremity * Cervical spine pathology * Inflammatory arthritis affecting the wrist or finger joints (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) * Active neurological disease or radiculopathy radiating to the upper extremity * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia or another widespread pain syndrome * Currently receiving active psychiatric treatment (e.g. psychosis, severe depression) * Pregnancy * Visual or cognitive impairment of a degree that would prevent completion of the questionnaires