Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome

Objective To analyze the short-term therapeutic efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Methods A total of 106 patients diagnosed as having subacromial impingement syndrome between October 2017 and April 2019 were randomized into a radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) group of 36, an exercise rehabilitation group of 35 and a conventional therapy group of 35. In addition to family exercise therapy, the rESWT group underwent 2000 to 2500 shots of extracorporeal shock wave therapy at 10 Hz and a pressure of 1.5-2.5 bar, once a week for four consecutive weeks. The exercise group was given range of motion exercises, joint control training and tendon movement training for 45 minutes, three times a week for four consecutive weeks. The conventional therapy group was treated with a laser apparatus and low-frequency electrotherapy, once a day, three times a week. Constant-Murle scores (CMSs) and the short form health survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy before and after 1 month of treatment. Results Before the treatment there were no significant differences among the 3 groups in any of the measurements. After one month of treatment the average CMS pain score and total score of the exercise rehabilitation group were significantly better than the conventional therapy group′s averages. Moreover, the average body pain score, daily life ability, range of motion, muscle strength and total score of the rESWT group were all significantly better than the exercise and conventional therapy groups′ averages. In the SF-36 the average physical function, bodily pain, general health, and mental health scores of the rESWT groups were also significantly better than the other 2 groups′ averages. Conclusions Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is superior to exercise therapy and conventional therapy for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. It can restore shoulder joint function and improve the quality of life in one month. Key words: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy; Subacromial impingement syndrome; Constant-Murley scoring; Shock wave therapy