Physiotherapy for patients with soft tissue shoulder disorders

There is evidence that ultrasound therapy is probably not effective for soft-tissue shoulder disorders. There is insufficient evidence to assess the effect of exercise and mobilisation or other forms of physiotherapy.

A systematic review including 20 studies with a total of 1 297 participants was abstracted in DARE. Four of six trials assessing ultrasound therapy were acceptable, but none showed evidence that it is more effective than cold therapy and steroid injection, NSAIDs and acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, analgesics, and iontophoresis or placebo. One placebo-controlled trial on pulsed electromagnetic fields had acceptable validity and reported favourable results for treatment. Other trials, which showed significant effects were considered to be affected by validity problems.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few patients).

Ədəbiyyat

1. van der Heijden GJ, van der Windt DA, de Winter AF. Physiotherapy for patients with soft tissue shoulder disorders: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. BMJ 1997 Jul 5;315(7099):25-30.