Pulsed electromagnetic field and exercises in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Arch Phys Med Rehabil · 2014 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 2756

Study snapshot

PublicationArch Phys Med Rehabil · 2014

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and exercises in reducing pain and improving function and muscle strength in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial with a 3-month posttreatment follow-up. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation of a public hospital. Participants: Patients (N=56) between 40 and 60 years of age, with a diagnosis of SIS, were randomly assigned to receive active PEMF (n=26; mean age, 50.1y) or placebo PEMF (n=30; mean age, 50.8y). Interventions: After 3 weeks of active or placebo PEMF, both groups performed the same program of exercises that focused on shoulder strengthening. Main outcome measures: A visual analog scale, the University of California/Los Angeles shoulder rating scale, the Constant-Murley shoulder score, and handheld dynamometry for muscle strength were used as outcome measures at baseline (pretreatment), at 3 weeks (after active or placebo PEMF), at 9 weeks (postexercise), and at 3 months posttreatment. Results: Patients in the active PEMF group had a higher level of function and less pain at all follow-up time frames compared with baseline (P<.05). However, the placebo PEMF group had increased function and reduced pain only at the 9-week and 3-month follow-ups (P<.05)-that is, after performing the associated exercises. For the shoulder dynamometry, the active PEMF group had increased strength for lateral rotation at 9 weeks (P<.05), and increased strength for medial rotation at 9 weeks and 3 months (both P<.05) when compared with baseline. There was no significant difference for shoulder strength in the placebo PEMF group (P>.05), as well as no significant differences (P>.05) for all outcome measures. Conclusions: The combination of PEMF and shoulder exercises is effective in improving function and muscle strength and decreasing pain in patients with SIS. However, these results should be carefully interpreted because of the lack of differences between groups. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01452204.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPatients aged 40–60 years with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) in an outpatient rehabilitation setting

Sample size56

Exposure3 weeks (active or placebo PEMF)

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Within the active PEMF group, pain decreased and function improved at all follow-up time points compared with baseline, and some strength measures improved at 9 weeks and/or 3 months. The placebo PEMF group showed improvements in pain and function only after the exercise program (9 weeks and 3 months) and no significant strength changes. The abstract reports no significant differences between groups for all outcome measures.

Outcomes measured

Pain (visual analog scale)
Shoulder function (University of California/Los Angeles shoulder rating scale)
Shoulder function (Constant-Murley shoulder score)
Muscle strength (handheld dynamometry; lateral and medial rotation)

Limitations

Abstract notes lack of differences between groups, suggesting results should be interpreted carefully
PEMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 weeks (active or placebo PEMF)"
  },
  "population": "Patients aged 40–60 years with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) in an outpatient rehabilitation setting",
  "sample_size": 56,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain (visual analog scale)",
    "Shoulder function (University of California/Los Angeles shoulder rating scale)",
    "Shoulder function (Constant-Murley shoulder score)",
    "Muscle strength (handheld dynamometry; lateral and medial rotation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Within the active PEMF group, pain decreased and function improved at all follow-up time points compared with baseline, and some strength measures improved at 9 weeks and/or 3 months. The placebo PEMF group showed improvements in pain and function only after the exercise program (9 weeks and 3 months) and no significant strength changes. The abstract reports no significant differences between groups for all outcome measures.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Abstract notes lack of differences between groups, suggesting results should be interpreted carefully",
    "PEMF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity) not reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "PEMF",
    "shoulder impingement syndrome",
    "pain",
    "function",
    "muscle strength",
    "randomized controlled trial",
    "double-blind",
    "placebo-controlled",
    "exercise therapy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.09.022
PubMed: 24139986

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