Dry Needling and Manipulation vs. Mobilization, Exercise and Interferential Electrotherapy for Shoulder Impingement (Subacromial Pain Syndrome)

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Subacromial Pain Syndrome
• Interventions: Other: mobilization; Other: dry needling; Other: spinal manipulation; Other: exercise; Other: modalities

• Registration Number: NCT03168477
• Lead Sponsor: Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with shoulder impingement (subacromial pain syndrome): electric dry needling and spinal manipulation versus impairment-based mobilization, exercise, and interferential electrotherapy. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat shoulder impingement (subacromial pain syndrome). This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.

Detailed Description

Patients with shoulder impingement (subacromial pain syndrome) will be randomized to receive 2 treatment sessions per week for up to 6 weeks (up to 12 sessions total) of either: (1) electric dry needling and spinal manipulation or (2) impairment-based mobilization, exercise and interferential electrotherapy.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-05-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-05-24
• Study First Posted: 2017-05-30
• Study Start: 2017-06-15
• Primary Completion: 2019-05-01
• Study Completion: 2019-05-01
• Status Verified: 2019-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-10-07
• Last Update Posted: 2019-10-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 145

Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult over the age of 18 years old that is able to read, write and speak English

2. Primary complaint of anterolateral shoulder pain lasting longer than 6 weeks

3. One or more of the following special tests:

   1. Positive Neer Impingement test-i.e. pain with passive overpressure at full shoulder flexion with the scapula stabilized.
   2. Positive Hawkins-Kennedy test-i.e. pain with passive internal rotation at 90° of shoulder and elbow flexion

4. Pain with ONE or more of the following active movements and resisted isometric tests

   1. Pain with active shoulder elevation
   2. Pain with resisted shoulder external rotation at 90 deg of abduction
   3. Pain with resisted shoulder abduction in Empty Can Test positon - i.e. 90 deg of shoulder abduction, 30 deg of horizontal adduction (i.e. in scapular plane) and full internal rotation (i.e. thumb down)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Report of red flags to manual physical therapy to include: severe hypertension, infection, uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, stroke, chronic ischemia, edema, severe varicosities, tumor, metabolic disease, prolonged steroid use, fracture, RA, osteoporosis, severe vascular disease, malignancy, etc.
2. History of shoulder injection within the past 3 months.
3. History of shoulder dislocation, subluxation, fracture, adhesive capsulitis, or cervical, thoracic or shoulder surgery.
4. Isolated acromioclavicular joint pathology (i.e. the only location of symptoms is localized specifically with one finger directly over the acromioclavicular joint and nowhere else, and reproduced only with acromioclavicular palpation by the examiner.)
5. Evidence of cervical radiculopathy, radiculitis or referred pain from the c-spine
6. Full-thickness rotator cuff tears (evidenced by MRI and/or positive lag signs)
7. Baseline SPADI of not less than 20%
8. History of breast cancer on involved side.
9. Prior treatments (eg. Acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic, dry needling, massage therapy, injections) to the involved limb over past 3 months.
10. Pending litigation for an injury.
11. Psychiatric disorders or cognitively impaired
12. Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
dry needling and spinal manipulation	spinal manipulation	-
mobilization, exercise, modalities	mobilization	-
mobilization, exercise, modalities	exercise	-
dry needling and spinal manipulation	dry needling	-
mobilization, exercise, modalities	modalities	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index	baseline, 2-weeks, 4-weeks, 3 months	The SPADI Pain subscale is measured on a 0-130 scale. Greater scores indicate increased pain. Patient must have score of 20% or greater to participate in study on both the pain and disability section.
Change in Shoulder Pain (NPRS) (Rating Score)	baseline, 2-weeks, 4-weeks, 3 months	Rating Score. Baseline score must exceed 2/10 to be included in the study.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Global Rating of Change Score	2 week, 4 weeks, 3 months
Change in Medication Intake (Frequency of medication intake in last week)	baseline, 3 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Evolution Sports Physiotherapy; 🇺🇸 Cockeysville, Maryland, United States