title: Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for supraspinatus calcifying tendinitis: a randomized clinical trial comparing two different energy levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) represents a valid intervention in the treatment of people with supraspinatus calcifying tendinitis (SCT), but there is limited evidence for the useful range of ESWT doses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare 2 different ranges of energy flux density in treatment of SCT with ESWT.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed as a single-blind randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed in a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six patients with SCT were randomly assigned to 2 groups that received different therapeutic energy doses of ESWT: (1) group A received ESWT at an energy level of 0.20 mJ/mm², and (2) group B received ESWT at an energy level of 0.10 mJ/mm².
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatment protocol consisted of 4 sessions performed once a week.
  
  
  METHODS
  The change in mean Constant Murley Scale (CMS) scores at 3 and 6 months was the primary endpoint. The change in the mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores from baseline to 3 and 6 months after the intervention and radiographic change in size of calcium deposits were evaluated as secondary endpoints. At 12 months, pain relief was assessed using a numeric rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant clinical improvement based on mean CMS scores was observed after 6 months in group A (X=79.43, SD=10.33) compared with group B (X=57.91, SD=6.53). Likewise, after 6 months, a significant decrease in VAS scores was found in group A (X=2.09, SD=1.54) compared with group B (X=5.36, SD=0.78). Calcific deposits disappeared in the same percentage of patients in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The small sample size and lack of a control group were limitations of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In ESWT for SCT, an energy level of 0.20 mJ/mm² appears to be more effective than an energy level of 0.10 mJ/mm² in pain relief and functional improvement.
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, School of Medicine, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ioppolo
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tattoli
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Di Sante
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Attanasi
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Venditto
authors: Marila
authors: M
authors: Servidio
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Cacchio
authors: Valter
authors: V
authors: Santilli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult