Comparison of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy versus Ultrasound Therapy in the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: People suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy exhibit reduced mobility due to pain. The pain and the limited functionality affect negatively the overall quality of life. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the intensity of pain, the functionality of the upper limbs and the quality of life of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy by using two different therapeutic modalities, shockwave and ultrasound, whose outcomes were assessed pre-treatment and post-treatment as well as after a 4-week follow-up. Materials and methods: Out of the total sample of 115 patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, 56 patients constituted the shockwave intervention group, 47 patients constituted the therapeutic ultrasound group and 12 patients made up the control group. The self-administered questionnaire “The University of Peloponnese Pain, Functionality and Quality of Life Questionnaire, UoP – PFQ” was used where the intensity of pain, functionality and quality of life of the upper limbs were evaluated on a five-point Likert scale, pre-treatment, post-treatment and at a 4-week follow-up. Results: The pain intensity was reduced and both the functionality and quality of life were improved after shockwave therapy post-treatment (p<0.001) and at a 4-week follow-up (p<0.001) compared with those found after the treatment. Similar improvements in all three parameters were also observed after ultrasound treatment but the outcomes were not as pronounced as in the shockwave group.  Conclusion: Both radial shockwave and ultrasound therapies were found to be effective in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy, the statistical analysis showing that radial shockwave therapy was superior to the ultrasound therapy post-treatment and at the 4-week follow-up.

Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for rotator cuff injury: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Currently, the effectiveness of ESWT in the treatment of RCI remains a subject of debate within the medical community. Some studies have reported significant benefits of extracorporeal shock waves in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, and tissue repair promotion among RCI patients [ 14 , 15 ]. Conversely, other studies have arrived at contradictory conclusions [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…At present, the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of RCT is still controversial. Some studies have indicated that extracorporeal shock waves have a significant effect in reducing pain, improving function and promoting tissue repair in patients with RCT [14,15], while other studies have reached the opposite conclusion [16,17]. Danilo et al 's meta-analysis [18] found that, in shortterm follow-up, ESWT showed a slight improvement in shoulder pain compared to sham ESWT.…”

Influence of Scapula Training Exercises on Shoulder Joint Function After Surgery for Rotator Cuff Injury

“…Medical technology has been developed for minimally invasive shoulder joint surgery, and rotator cuff injury prostheses help patients return to work, thus relieving the economic and social pressures, and early rehabilitation therapy is beneficial [ 2 ]. New therapeutic techniques such as radial shockwave therapy also promoted the functional recovery of patients with RCI [ 3 ]. In the present study, we compared the effects of normal rehabilitation therapy and additional scapular therapeutic exercise in patients with dysfunction caused by RCI.…”