Scientific evidence of conservative management of subacromial pain syndrome is conflicting. There is evidence that eccentric exercise programs are effective at medium term for this pain condition. The inclusion of other therapeutic modalities is still controversial. A recent study suggests that the inclusion of US-guided percutaneous electrolysis combined with eccentric exercises can be effective at short-term for this condition. The objective of this randomized clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness at short- and long-term of the inclusion of US-guided percutaneous electrolysis (EPE®) into a eccentric exercise protocol for the management of patients with subacromial pain syndrome for pain, function, disability and pressure pain sensitivity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
50
US-guided percutaneous electrolysis consists of the application of a galvanic electrical current with an acupuncture needle in the soft tissue, in this case the supraspinatus tendon.
An eccentric loading exercise program for the shoulder musculature, particularly the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles will be learned by the patients allocated to this group
Cesar Fernandez-de-Las-Peñas
Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
Changes in disability before and after the intervention
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) will be used to determine the disability induced by shoulder pain
Time frame: Baseline, one week after the last session, 3 months and 6 months after the last session
Changes in pain intensity before and after the intervention
A 10-point Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS; 0: no pain, 10: maximum pain) will be used to assess the patients' current level of shoulder pain, and the worst and lowest level of pain experienced in the preceding week in the shoulder area.
Time frame: Baseline, one week after the last session, 3 months and 6 months after the last session
Changes in functionality before and after the intervention
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire will be used to assess function of the uppr extremity related to shoulder pain
Time frame: Baseline, one week after the last session, 3 months and 6 months after the last session
Changes in pressure pain sensitivity before and after the intervention
Pressure pain thresholds will be assessed over the cervical spine, the hand, the deltoid muscle and the tibialis muscle
Time frame: Baseline, one week after the last session, 3 months and 6 months after the last session
Self-perceived improvement
A Global Rating of Change (GROC) from -7 (a very great deal worse) to +7 (a very great deal better) will be used to assess self-perceived improvement
Time frame: Baseline, one week after the last session, 3 months and 6 months after the last session
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