Electro-massage in Subjects With Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Short-term Efficacy of Interferential Current Electro-massage on Self-perceived Pain and Function in Subjects With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: Establishing and validating an electrotherapy procedure with interferential current (IFC) application using electro-massage on patients who have undergone acromioplasty surgery. To evaluate the possible decrease in pain perception and improvement of functionality following surgical intervention.

Design: Randomized, single blind clinical trial. Subjects: 18-patients, aged 18 to 65, with a similar distribution of male and female participants Methods: 10-patients will be enrolled in the experimental group and 8 patients as the control group. Both groups of patients will undergo six physiotherapy sessions (three times a week). The experimental group will undergo a treatment consisting of electro-massage with constant voltage (CV) IFC bipolar application, 4000 Hz carrier current and 100 Hz amplitude modulated frequency (AMF). Two 48 cm2 electrodes will be used. Session length with electrotherapy will be approximately ten minutes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients having undergone acromioplasty surgery in the three months prior to the first day of Physiotherapy treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Value equal to or less than 45 in Personal Psychological Apprehension Scale, showing any absolute contraindication for Physiotherapy or Electrotherapy treatment, fear or apprehension for Electrotherapy application, not signing informed consent, showing alterations in local level sensitivity (cervical-scapulohumeral complex), showing bone fracture associated with SCS, having been applied local infiltration with corticoids following surgery and having started Physiotherapy treatment before signing informed consent.