Comparison of Manual Therapy Versus Radial Shock Waves in the Shoulder Pain Treatment

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA · Sep 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different treatments for shoulder pain caused by a condition known as subacromial syndrome. The goal is to find out whether manual therapy, which involves hands-on techniques to relieve pain and improve movement, is more effective than a treatment called radial shock wave therapy, which uses sound waves to help heal tissue. A total of 88 participants with shoulder pain will be randomly assigned to receive either manual therapy or shock wave therapy over a period of six weeks. After that, all participants will follow a 12-week exercise program at home to help strengthen their shoulders.

To join the study, participants should be between 18 and 75 years old and experience shoulder pain that has lasted for at least three months, rated at a minimum of 4 out of 10 on a pain scale. They should have specific positive results on certain shoulder tests but should not have any serious shoulder conditions like a complete tear of the rotator cuff or frozen shoulder. Throughout the study, researchers will measure pain levels and shoulder function to see which treatment works best, with follow-up assessments conducted one year after the treatment ends. This research aims to provide valuable insights into effective ways to manage shoulder pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Unilateral shoulder pain with no history of trauma.
• • Pain of at least 4/10 on the Visual Analogue Scale for a minimum period of 3 months.
• • Be positive in at least 3 of the following 5 tests: painful arc test, Neer impingement test, Hawkins-Kennedy test, Jobe test, external rotation test against resistance for the infraspinatus tendon.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of red flags.
• • Diagnosis of shoulder instability.
• • Diagnosis of frozen shoulder.
• • Diagnosis of complete rupture of the common rotator cuff tendon.
• • Diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.
• • Diagnosis of whiplash.
• • Diagnosis of degenerative disease of the glenohumeral joint.