Clinical Trial: Efficacy of Electrotherapy in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Efficacy of Electrotherapy in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Randomised Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of electrotherapy as a coadjuvant in mobility and exercise treatment in the reduction of pain intensity in subacromial impingement syndrome.

Detailed Summary:

Among the different diagnoses covered by the concept of shoulder pain, the most common is subacromial impingement syndrome, which represents 44%-60% of the total.Specific supervised exercises obtain improvements in the range of movement and muscular function by restoring the shoulder's mobility and stability. Physiotherapeutic options include several electrotherapy techniques.

Ultrasound is no more beneficial than exercise alone. Likewise, the results of some more recent studies evaluating the application of ultrasound alone versus placebo, showed that ultrasound alone in physiotherapy treatment of shoulder pain is only effective in patients with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. All the authors, however, suggest that effectiveness can vary, depending on application conditions, dosage and timing.

The primary objective of the trial is to analyze the efficacy of electrotherapy treatment (monopolar radiofrequency or ultrasound) coadjuvant to mobility and exercise therapy in the reduction of pain intensity in subacromial impingement syndrome.

The secondary objectives of this study are to determine the differences between three intervention groups: monopolar radiofrequency, ultrasound and inactive radiofrequency, in improvement of performance status, quality of life and global impression of improvement.


Sponsor: Fundacio Espai Salut

Current Primary Outcome: Variation of pain intensity [ Time Frame: 12 sessions (1 month) ]

Evaluation after 12 sessions of intervention (1 month)


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Variation at pain intensity [ Time Frame: 18 sessions (1.5 months) ]
    Evaluation at 1.5 months
  • Variation at pain intensity [ Time Frame: 6 months after intervention ]
    Follow-up evaluation


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Fundacio Espai Salut

Dates:
Date Received: February 22, 2010
Date Started: February 2010
Date Completion: December 2011
Last Updated: July 6, 2011
Last Verified: July 2011