Effectiveness of micro-electrolysis associated with exercises versus exercises alone on pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy: A randomized clinical trial

Geraldo Carvalho Magalhães; Danilo Harudy Kamonseki; Ana Catarine Tavares da Silva; Janaynna Araújo Nunes; Antonio Ismayle Araújo Firmino de Sousa; Daniel Cury Ribeiro; Valéria Mayaly Alves de Oliveira

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2024.10.016

Effectiveness of micro-electrolysis associated with exercises versus exercises alone on pain intensity and disability in individuals with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy: A randomized clinical trial

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Nov 19:S0003-9993(24)01347-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.10.016. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Geraldo Carvalho Magalhães¹, Danilo Harudy Kamonseki², Ana Catarine Tavares da Silva², Janaynna Araújo Nunes², Antonio Ismayle Araújo Firmino de Sousa², Daniel Cury Ribeiro³, Valéria Mayaly Alves de Oliveira⁴

Affiliations

¹ Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (Brazilian Company of Hospital Services), Alcides Carneiro University Hospital, Campina Grande - Paraíba, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa - Paraíba, Brazil.
² Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (Brazilian Company of Hospital Services), Alcides Carneiro University Hospital, Campina Grande - Paraíba, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa - Paraíba, Brazil; Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR) - School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
³ Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR) - School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
⁴ Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (Brazilian Company of Hospital Services), Alcides Carneiro University Hospital, Campina Grande - Paraíba, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa - Paraíba, Brazil; Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR) - School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: valeria.mayaly@gmail.com.

PMID: 39571743
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.10.016

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intratissue percutaneous micro-electrolysis (IPM) in addition to shoulder exercise program on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Study design: Two parallel arms, single blind superiority randomized control clinical trial. SITE: Outpatient clinic (Alcides Carneiro University Hospital) PARTICIPANTS: 42 individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy were randomly allocated (1:1) into 2 groups: IPM associated with exercises (IPM+Ex) and exercises only (Ex).

Interventions: 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.

Main outcome measures: Pain intensity was measured with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and shoulder disability with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The outcomes were evaluated (blinded assessor) at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention protocol.

Secondary outcomes: adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect.

Results: 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 < 0.05) regarding adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect.

Conclusion: Applying IPM along with therapeutic exercises does not have additional effects on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Keywords: Electric Stimulation Therapy. Shoulder Pain. Rotator Cuff Injuries.