Two Transcutaneous Stimulation Techniques in Shoulder Pain: Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency (TPRF) vs. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Detailed Study
Emerging Research in Medical Sciences Vol. 4,
Page 52-64
Abstract
Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of 2 transcutaneous stimulation techniques, transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TPRF) versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in chronic shoulder tendonitis.
Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
Setting: Academic pain service of a city hospital.
Subjects: Fifty patients with sonography-confirmed shoulder tendonitis.
Methods: Fifty patients were randomly allocated into two groups for electrical stimulation treatment with 3-month follow-ups: Group 1 (n=25), TENS; Group 2 (n=25), TPRF. Both groups underwent either treatment for 15 minutes every other day, three times total. Our primary goals were to find any treatment comfort level, adverse event, and changes in Constant-Murley Shoulder (CMS) scores. The secondary goals were finding the changes in pain, enjoyment of life, and general activity (PEG) scores.
Results: For primary goals, no adverse events were noted throughout this study. No differences were found between groups for treatment tolerability (3.20±0.87 vs. 2.16±0.75). Statistically significant lower PEG scores was noticeable with the TPRF group after the course (12.73±5.79 vs. 24.53±10.21, p=0.013). Their statistical significance lasted for 3 months although the difference gap diminished after 1 month. CMS scores were significantly higher in the TPRF group (70.84±6.74 vs. 59.56±9.49, p=0.007) right after treatment course but the significance did not last.
Conclusions: In treating chronic shoulder tendinitis using two transcutaneous stimulation techniques, both TPRF and TENS are safe and effective. TPRF is superior to TENS.
Keywords:
- Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
- PEG
- tendonitis shoulder pain
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency (TPRF)
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