The Importance of Night Pain for the Effectiveness of Theurapotic Ultrasound in the Sub acromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the importance of night pain for the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in treating Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS). Methods: In this double-blind, placebo controlled study, patients with SIS accompanying with night pain were evaluated. The cases were divided as A and B groups randomly. Group A, received standard conservative treatment and additional ultrasound or placebo ultrasound randomly while having night pain. On the other hand, group B, received cold application and same standard conservative treatment. When the night pain subsided, ultrasound or placebo ultrasound was given randomly. The cases were evaluated with visual analogue scale, shoulder disability index and Constant Murley functional assessment scale during follow ups. Results: In group A, statistically meaningful improvement in resting, movement and night pain, disability and functionality were detected. However there were no statistically important differences between cases receiving ultrasound or placebo ultrasound. There were statistically important improvement in resting and movement pain, disability and fuctionality of group B cases. But with ceasing the cold application and starting either of ultrasound or placebo ultrasound, some increase in night pain was seen. There were no statistically important difference between ultrasound and placebo ultrasound. Conclusion: Adding ultrasound to the standard conservative treatments in SIS patients with or without night pain makes no additional benefit.