US-guided Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPE®) in Shoulder Pain

Effectiveness of the Inclusion of US-guided Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPE®) in Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Scientific evidence of conservative management of subacromial pain syndrome is conflicting. There is evidence that eccentric exercise programs are effective at medium term for this pain condition. The inclusion of other therapeutic modalities is still controversial. A recent study suggests that the inclusion of US-guided percutaneous electrolysis combined with eccentric exercises can be effective at short-term for this condition. The objective of this randomized clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness at short- and long-term of the inclusion of US-guided percutaneous electrolysis (EPE®) into a eccentric exercise protocol for the management of patients with subacromial pain syndrome for pain, function, disability and pressure pain sensitivity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• unilateral shoulder complaints with duration of at least 3 months;
• an intensity of at least 4 on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) during arm elevation;
• a positive painful arc test during abduction
• at least one positive of the following tests: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer's sig, empty can test, drop arm or lift-off test

Exclusion Criteria:

• bilateral shoulder symptoms
• younger than 18 or older than 65 years
• history of shoulder fractures or dislocation
• cervical radiculopathy
• previous interventions with steroid injections
• fibromyalgia syndrome
• previous history of shoulder or neck surgery
• any type of intervention for the neck-shoulder area during the previous year