The effects of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus deep friction massage in supraspinatus tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial

Study Overview

This study aimed to find out which treatment is better for supraspinatus tendinitis in non-professional athletes: extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) or deep friction massage (DFM).

How the Study Was Conducted

Thirty-two non-professional athletes diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinitis were divided into two groups. One group received ESWT along with therapeutic exercises, while the other group received DFM with the same exercises. We measured pain and muscle response at three points: before treatment, after 12 sessions, and one week later.

What We Found

The results showed significant improvement in:

Pain levels
Pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles
Shoulder abduction (raising the arm)

Shockwave therapy was significantly more effective than deep friction massage based on these improvements.

Key Measurements

The analysis showed:

Shockwave therapy reduced pain more than DFM.
PPT significantly increased with shockwave therapy.
Shoulder abduction improved more in the shockwave therapy group.

No notable differences were found between the two groups for shoulder external rotation, supraspinatus strength, or quality of life.

Conclusion

The study concludes that shockwave therapy is a better option than deep friction massage for treating supraspinatus tendinitis.

Implications for Healthcare

Based on these results, clinics and patients can:

Set clear goals for treatment effectiveness.
Implement shockwave therapy as a preferred option for pain management in supraspinatus tendinitis.
Explore tailored AI solutions to enhance treatment tracking and outcomes.

Next Steps

To move forward, clinics should consider starting pilot projects using these findings and track results, possibly integrating AI solutions for better management.