The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on patients with rotator cuff syndrome

Aim: The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) on patients diagnosed with RCS (Rotator Cuff Syndrome) along with physical therapy.

Data and Methodology: In this study, 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups of equal sizes. The first group was treated with 5 minutes of Ultrasound, 30 minutes of TENS and 20 minutes of hot-packs 5 days a week for 3 weeks. For the second group, ESWT was applied for a total of 6 sessions 2 days a week in addition to the above treatments. Constant and UCLA scores and the (Short-Form Health Survey) SF-36 quality of life scale were used in the assessments. The joint range of motion was measured with a goniometer and the strength parameter was measured with a strength measuring device.

Findings: In a constant measurement of the patients, sleep and abduction parameters showed a significant difference at the end of the treatment compared to the pre-treatment values. For those parameters, which differed significantly, the difference before and after the treatment was significantly higher for the ESWT (+) group than the ESWT (-) group. Sleep, abduction and flexion parameters displayed a significant difference in the third-month assessments compared to the pre-treatment values. For those parameters which showed significant differences, the pre-treatment and third-month change with the ESWT (+) group were significantly higher than that with the ESWT (-) group.

Conclusion: It was found that ESWT positively improved parameters such as pain, sleep, daily life activities, active range of motion and muscle strength in conservative treatments of Rotator Cuff Syndrome (RCS). Therefore, it is concluded that ESWT is an effective and safe method that can be used in addition to physical therapy.