title: Effects of local microwave diathermy on shoulder pain and function in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy in comparison to subacromial corticosteroid injections: a single-blind randomized trial.
abstract: METHODS
  Single-blind randomized clinical trial, with a follow-up of 24 weeks.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of hyperthermia via localized microwave diathermy on pain and disability in comparison to subacromial corticosteroid injections in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Hyperthermia improves symptoms and function in several painful musculoskeletal disorders. However, the effects of microwave diathermy in rotator cuff tendinopathy have not yet been established.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and pain lasting for at least 3 months were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital, Rome, Italy. Participants were randomly allocated to either local microwave diathermy or subacromial corticosteroids. The primary outcome measure was the short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH). Secondary outcome measures were the Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score and a visual analog scale for pain assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of treatment and at follow-up, both treatment groups experienced improvements in all outcome measures relative to baseline values. Changes over time in QuickDASH, Constant-Murley, and visual analog scale scores were not different between treatment arms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, the effects of localized microwave diathermy on disability, shoulder function, and pain are equivalent to those elicited by subacromial corticosteroid injections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Physiatrics, University Hospital Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rabini
authors.forename: Diana B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Piazzini
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deriu
authors.forename: Maristella F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Saccomanno
authors.forename: Domenico A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Santagada
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgadari
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabei
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fabbriciani
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marzetti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Milano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008775:Methylprednisolone