rESWT in Shoulder Periarthritis: Does the Protocol Intensity Matter?-A Quasi-Experimental Non-Randomized Comparative...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Shoulder periarthritis (SP) is a common condition causing shoulder pain and limited mobility.
• Radial extracorporporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) is utilized for tendon regeneration in SP rehabilitation.
• Optimizing rESWT protocols is crucial for enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the analgesic and functional effects of two distinct rESWT protocols in patients with shoulder periarthritis.
• To identify the most effective rESWT parameters for SP rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, non-randomized comparative study involving 36 SP patients.
• Two rESWT groups: Group One (210 J/session, 10 Hz, 2500 impulses, 3 sessions) and Group Two (190 J/session, 10-15 Hz, 2000 impulses, 5 sessions).
• Both protocols combined with physical therapy (analgesic physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy). Pain assessed via VAS, function via ROM and SPADI.

Main Results:

• Group One demonstrated significantly better outcomes (p < 0.001) compared to Group Two.
• Superior pain reduction and improved shoulder functionality, particularly external rotation, were observed in Group One.
• The rESWT protocol in Group One, characterized by lower energy/frequency and higher impulses over fewer sessions, proved more effective.

Conclusions:

• The rESWT protocol utilized in Group One is more effective for managing shoulder periarthritis.
• Optimized rESWT parameters, including energy, frequency, and impulse count, significantly influence treatment efficacy.
• This study provides evidence for a refined rESWT approach in SP rehabilitation.