Effectiveness of Microelectrolysis Associated With Exercises Versus Exercises Alone on Pain Intensity and Disability in Individuals With Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of intratissue percutaneous microelectrolysis (IPM) in addition to shoulder exercise program on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Two parallel arms, single-blind superiority randomized controlled trial. SITE: Outpatient clinic (Alcides Carneiro University Hospital). Forty-two individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy were randomly allocated (1:1) into 2 groups: IPM associated with exercises (IPM+Ex) and exercises only (Ex). Both groups underwent a therapeutic exercise program (6 in-person sessions) conducted by a physiotherapist, but only the IPM+Ex group received additional treatment with IPM (6 sessions). Linear mixed models were used to compare groups. Pain intensity was measured with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and shoulder disability with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. The outcomes were evaluated (blinded assessor) at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention protocol. The secondary outcomes included adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect. Forty individuals completed the 8-week follow-up. There were statistically significant within-group changes in both IPM+Ex and Ex for pain (IPM+Ex: mean difference -3.19; 95% CI: -4.45 to -1.94; Ex: mean difference: -3.99; 95% CI: -5.27 to -2.72) and disability (IPM+Ex: mean difference -35.76; 95% CI: -47.77 to -23.76; Ex: mean difference: -38.26; 95% CI: -50.45 to -26.07). We found no between-group significant differences in either pain (mean difference: -1.23; 95% CI: -2.54, 0.07) or disability (mean difference 7.17; 95% CI: -7.02, 21.35). We found no differences between the groups (P<.05) regarding adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect. Applying IPM along with therapeutic exercises does not have additional effects on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy.