Effects of acupuncture versus ultrasound in patients with impingement syndrome: randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
There is no definitive evidence for the efficacy of the physical therapy interventions used for patients with impingement syndrome. The purpose of this study was to compare manual acupuncture and continuous ultrasound, both applied in addition to home exercises, for patients diagnosed with impingement syndrome.


METHODS
Eighty-five patients with clinical signs of impingement syndrome were randomly assigned to either a group that received acupuncture (n=44) or a group that received ultrasound (n=41). Both interventions were given by physical therapists twice a week for 5 weeks in addition to a home exercise program. Scores from 3 shoulder disability measures, combined in the analysis, measured change during a period of 12 months.


RESULTS
Both groups improved, but the acupuncture group had a larger improvement in the combined score.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that acupuncture is more efficacious than ultrasound when applied in addition to home exercises.
Johansson
Kajsa M
KM
Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health and Society, Primary Care, Linköpings Universitet, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Kajsa.Johansson@ihs.liu.se
Adolfsson
Lars E
LE
Foldevi
Mats O M
MO
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy