Shoulder pain of musculoskeletal origin Musculoskeletal Diseases Shoulder pain
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Shoulder exercise group
Group 2: Shoulder exercise group and acupuncture
Group 3: Shoulder exercise group and electro-acupuncture
Sponsors
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients referred to physiotherapy departments who have pain in the region of their shoulder 2. Minimum duration of symptoms being 3 months 2. Being able fully communicate in English 3. A minimum age of 18 years
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Pain referred from the cervical spine 2. A history of shoulder instability, subluxations, dislocations 3. Un-united fractures involving the shoulder 4. Malunion or non-union of fractures 5. Inability to participate in an exercise programme 6. Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, cardiac disease, renal insufficiency, cardiac pacemakers, hearing aids 7. Women who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant 8. Fear of needles (participants may be randomised to a group where acupuncture needles will be used). 9. Infections (systemic or local) 10. Fragile, swollen, thin or inflamed skin 11. Post-surgical lymphoedema 12. Known allergy to metals 13. Recent oral steroid therapy or shoulder injections 14. Epilepsy 15. Patients on anti-coagulation therapy 16. Patients with Hemophilia
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Oxford Shoulder Score (a validated 12 question questionnaire which requires tick box responses relating to the patients symptoms and level of disability) Outcome measurements will be taken (1) before the commencement of the programme, (2) immediately after the programme, (3) at 6 months and (4) at 12 months. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), another validated shoulder questionnaire which also includes Visual Analogue Scales for pain 2. Shoulder range of movement (shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation) measured with goniometers and tape measurer 3. Shoulder strength measured with a validated shoulder strength testing dynanometer. 4. Global impression of change Outcome measurements will be taken (1) before the commencement of the programme, (2) immediately after the programme, (3) at 6 months and (4) at 12 months. | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed