title: Effectiveness of electroacupuncture and interferential eloctrotherapy in the management of frozen shoulder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether the addition of either electroacupuncture or interferential electrotherapy to shoulder exercises would be more effective in the management of frozen shoulder.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 70 subjects were randomly allocated to receive either: (i) electroacupuncture plus exercise; (ii) interferential electrotherapy plus exercise; or (iii) no treatment (the control group). Subjects in groups (i) and (ii) received 10 sessions of the respective treatment, while the control group received no treatment for 4 weeks. Each subject's score on the Constant Murley Assessment and visual analogue scale were recorded at baseline, post-treatment session and subsequent follow-up sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both the electroacupuncture and interferential electrotherapy groups, the Constant Murley Assessment score increased and the visual analogue scale score decreased significantly (both p < 0.001). No significant change was found in any outcome of the control group, and no significant difference was found between the 2 intervention groups (all p > 0.05). The observed improvement was well maintained in both intervention groups at least until the 6-month follow-up session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Either electroacupuncture or interferential electrotherapy in combination with shoulder exercises is effective in treating frozen shoulder patients. However, no significant difference was found between these types of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. gladys.cheing@inet.polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Gladys L Y
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Cheing
authors.forename: Eric M L
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Clare Y L
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome