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

University of Alcala

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Shoulder Pain; Shoulder Impingement

Treatments: Other: Manual therapy treatment; Other: Radial shock wave treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06587399

CEIM/2024/3/053

Details and patient eligibility

About

Subacromial syndrome represents the third leading cause of pain in the general population. There is no clear pathophysiological explanation, nor a specific treatment. Manual therapy stands out as one of the reference treatments for this disease, however, it is complex to develop a specific protocol. On the other hand, shock waves have still not received adequate attention in the treatment of this pathology. The aim of this study will focus on using manual treatment using ischemic pressure, joint mobilizations and myofascial techniques in comparison to shock wave therapy to determine which is more effective.

This study will be a randomized, single-blind clinical trial with third-party evaluation. In it 88 subjects suffering from subacromial syndrome will participate. 44 patients will receive treatment through manual therapy over 6 weeks and other 44 patients through low-med energy radial shock waves for 6 weeks.

All subjects will complete their treatment with a 12-week home-based therapeutic exercise program.

The main endpoint of the study will be pain measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) in motion. Pain will also be assessed using the VAS scale at rest and overnight. The Spadi Spanish version questionnaire will be used, shoulder strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer and the ranges of motion will be measured.

Data will be measured before and one year after treatment.

Enrollment: 88 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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88 participants in 2 patient groups

Manual therapy treatment

Active Comparator group

Description:

Joint mobilization techniques in the shoulder together with the treatment of muscle trigger points using pressure release techniques

Treatment:

Other: Manual therapy treatment

Radial shock wave treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Low-medium energy radial shock waves will be used to treat muscle trigger points and the insertion of the supraspinatus muscle

Treatment:

Other: Radial shock wave treatment