Effectiveness of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis in Painful Shoulder

Effectiveness of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis on Pain and Mobility in Patients Suffering From Painful Shoulder. A Randomized Pilot Study.

While Diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) has achieved promising results empirically, its effectiveness has not been tested in clinical trials. The investigators hypothesized that the use of DF in patients suffering from painful shoulder would increase the active mobility and reduce the pain during movement. To test the hypothesis a double blind (patient and investigator) randomized clinical trial was carried out in two public Primary Health Care Centres. Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the intervention group, who received a real DF session, and the control group, who received a placebo DF session.

Background and objectives:

Diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) is a manual technique to treat the mechanical pain of the musculoskeletal system. While this technique has achieved promising results empirically, its effectiveness has not been tested in clinical trials. We aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a single session of DF on pain and mobility in patients suffering from painful shoulder.

Subjects and methods:

This clinical trial took place in two public Primary Health Care Centres. Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the intervention group, who received a real DF session, and the control group, who received a placebo DF session. The degree of active mobility (flexion, abduction, extension, external and internal rotation), the pain in the hand behind back position and the participant's perception of the technique in terms of comfort and results obtained were measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 18 years of age
• being referred for treatment of painful shoulder (except for adhesive capsulitis)
• not having been previously treated with DF

Exclusion Criteria:

• Damaged skin and/or cutaneous lesions in the shoulder area
• History of shoulder surgery
• Vascular abnormalities
• Platelet antiaggregant therapy
• Acute inflammatory condition of the shoulder (<1 week)
• Patients with a pending litigation or court claim