Effectiveness of Microelectrolysis Associated With Exercises Versus Exercises Alone on Pain Intensity and Disability in Individuals With Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intratissue percutaneous microelectrolysis (IPM) in addition to shoulder exercise program on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Study design: Two parallel arms, single-blind superiority randomized controlled trial. SITE: Outpatient clinic (Alcides Carneiro University Hospital).

Participants: Forty-two individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy were randomly allocated (1:1) into 2 groups: IPM associated with exercises (IPM+Ex) and exercises only (Ex).

Interventions: Both groups underwent a therapeutic exercise program (6 in-person sessions) conducted by a physiotherapist, but only the IPM+Ex group received additional treatment with IPM (6 sessions). Linear mixed models were used to compare groups.

Main outcome measures: Pain intensity was measured with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and shoulder disability with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. The outcomes were evaluated (blinded assessor) at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention protocol. The secondary outcomes included adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect.

Results: Forty individuals completed the 8-week follow-up. There were statistically significant within-group changes in both IPM+Ex and Ex for pain (IPM+Ex: mean difference -3.19; 95% CI: -4.45 to -1.94; Ex: mean difference: -3.99; 95% CI: -5.27 to -2.72) and disability (IPM+Ex: mean difference -35.76; 95% CI: -47.77 to -23.76; Ex: mean difference: -38.26; 95% CI: -50.45 to -26.07). We found no between-group significant differences in either pain (mean difference: -1.23; 95% CI: -2.54, 0.07) or disability (mean difference 7.17; 95% CI: -7.02, 21.35). We found no differences between the groups (P<.05) regarding adverse effects, frequency of the weekly home exercises, and overall perceived effect.

Conclusion: Applying IPM along with therapeutic exercises does not have additional effects on pain intensity and disability in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy.