Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and
exercises in reducing pain and improving function and muscle strength in patients
with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized
controlled trial with a 3-month posttreatment follow-up. SETTING: Outpatient
rehabilitation of a public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=56) between 40 and
60 years of age, with a diagnosis of SIS, were randomly assigned to receive
active PEMF (n=26; mean age, 50.1y) or placebo PEMF (n=30; mean age, 50.8y).
INTERVENTIONS: After 3 weeks of active or placebo PEMF, both groups performed the
same program of exercises that focused on shoulder strengthening. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: A visual analog scale, the University of California/Los Angeles
shoulder rating scale, the Constant-Murley shoulder score, and handheld
dynamometry for muscle strength were used as outcome measures at baseline
(pretreatment), at 3 weeks (after active or placebo PEMF), at 9 weeks
(postexercise), and at 3 months posttreatment. RESULTS: Patients in the active
PEMF group had a higher level of function and less pain at all follow-up time
frames compared with baseline (P<.05). However, the placebo PEMF group had
increased function and reduced pain only at the 9-week and 3-month follow-ups
(P<.05)-that is, after performing the associated exercises. For the shoulder
dynamometry, the active PEMF group had increased strength for lateral rotation at
9 weeks (P<.05), and increased strength for medial rotation at 9 weeks and 3
months (both P<.05) when compared with baseline. There was no significant
difference for shoulder strength in the placebo PEMF group (P>.05), as well as no
significant differences (P>.05) for all outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: The
combination of PEMF and shoulder exercises is effective in improving function and
muscle strength and decreasing pain in patients with SIS. However, these results
should be carefully interpreted because of the lack of differences between
groups.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS