Effect of pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation on clinical improvements in the patients of chronic intractable shoulder pain.

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society · 2013 · Benefit · Very low evidence

← Research stream

BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3102

In 11 patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve, mean VAS decreased from 6.4±1.49 pre-PRF to 1.0±0.73 at 6 months and 1.5±1.23 at 9 months (p<0.001). Mean OSS increased from 22.7±8.1 pre-PRF to 41.5±6.65 at 6 months a…

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of Korean Neurosurgical Society · 2013

Study typeother

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of suprascpaular nerve (SSN) in patients with chronic shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear. METHODS: The study included 11 patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain for at least 6 months who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (n=4), rotator cuff tear (n=5), or adhesive capsulitis+rotator cuff tear (n=2) using shoulder magnetic resonance imaging or extremity ultrasonography. After a favorable response to a diagnostic suprascapular nerve block twice a week (pain improvement >50%), PRF neuromodulation was performed. Shoulder pain and quality of life were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) before the diagnostic block and every month after PRF neuromodulation over a 9-month period. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of 11 patients before PRF was 6.4±1.49, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 1.0±0.73 and 1.5±1.23, respectively. A significant pain reduction (p<0.001) was observed. The mean OSS score of 11 patients before PRF was 22.7±8.1, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 41.5±6.65 and 41.0±6.67, respectively. A significant OSS improvement (p<0.001) was observed. CONCLUSION: PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain, and the effect was sustained over a relatively long period in patients with medically intractable shoulder pain.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typeother

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPatients with chronic shoulder pain (adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear) with pain duration ≥6 months and >50% improvement after diagnostic suprascapular nerve block

Sample size11

ExposureRF · follow-up monthly over 9 months after PRF

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Shoulder pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)
Quality of life/shoulder function (Oxford Shoulder Score, OSS)

Limitations

Small sample size (n=11)
No control/comparator group described in abstract
Participants selected based on favorable response to diagnostic nerve block (>50% pain improvement), which may limit generalizability

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation (suprascapular nerve)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "follow-up monthly over 9 months after PRF"
  },
  "population": "Patients with chronic shoulder pain (adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear) with pain duration ≥6 months and >50% improvement after diagnostic suprascapular nerve block",
  "sample_size": 11,
  "outcomes": [
    "Shoulder pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)",
    "Quality of life/shoulder function (Oxford Shoulder Score, OSS)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 11 patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve, mean VAS decreased from 6.4±1.49 pre-PRF to 1.0±0.73 at 6 months and 1.5±1.23 at 9 months (p<0.001). Mean OSS increased from 22.7±8.1 pre-PRF to 41.5±6.65 at 6 months and 41.0±6.67 at 9 months (p<0.001).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=11)",
    "No control/comparator group described in abstract",
    "Participants selected based on favorable response to diagnostic nerve block (>50% pain improvement), which may limit generalizability"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "radiofrequency neuromodulation",
    "suprascapular nerve",
    "chronic shoulder pain",
    "adhesive capsulitis",
    "rotator cuff tear",
    "VAS",
    "Oxford Shoulder Score"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.507
PubMed: 24527194

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library