The Combined Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave and Cryoflow Therapy on Rotator Cuff Tendonitis in Stroke Patients: Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and Cryoflow on rotator cuff tendonitis in patients with stroke.
Methods: Thirty patients of both sexes participated in the study. Their age ranged between 50-70 years, were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A (experimental) treated with the conventional physical therapy program (stretching, strengthening, and mobilization exercises) in addition to ESWT and Cryoflow while group B (control) treated with the same traditional physical therapy program like group A plus sham shockwave and Cryoflow. All patients were treated three times per week for eight weeks. Modified Ashworth Scale used to assess muscle tone of shoulder adductors, digital goniometer to assess shoulder joint abduction and adduction, tensiometer to assess muscle power of supraspinatus, Purdue peg board to assess hand function, and electromyography to assess the amplitude of motor unit action potential of supraspinatus and Visual analogue scale for pain intensity. All dependent variables were assessed twice; before and after the 8-week treatment duration.
Results: Unpaired t-tests revealed significant difference between both groups in post-test for all the tested variables (p < 0.01). Similarly, the paired t-tests revealed significant difference between pre-test and post-test in group A for all the tested variables (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: conventional physiotherapy combined with shockwave and Cryoflow is superior to conventional physiotherapy alone in treating rotator cuff tendonitis in patients with stroke.