Feasibility and efficacy of the Vojta therapy in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Subacromial impingement syndrome (IS) is a common disorder associated with functional impairment and disability of the shoulder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Vojta therapy (VT) techniques compared with standard therapy (ST) in patients with subacromial IS. A randomized controlled trial was performed, with 60 patients with IS (mean age, 61±12 years) randomized into two groups: ST (n=30) and ST plus Vojta therapy (SVT, n=30). Both received 15 treatment sessions over 4 weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity, functionality, joint range of motion (RoM), strength, and quality of life measurements. The efficacy of both treatments was analysed, both comparatively and separately, immediately after completion of treatment and after 3 months. After the intervention, both groups showed statistically significant differences in visual analogue scale (P=0.001), RoM (P<0.01), and strength (P<0.001), which were also seen 3 months after the intervention. SVT is more efficient in both the short and medium term in reducing pain, improving functionality, increasing articular RoM and strength, and offering a better quality of life in IS patients.

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Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Platelet-Rich Plasma or Exercise Therapy? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967117702366 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 232596711770236 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Parisa Nejati ◽

Armita Ghahremaninia ◽

Farrokh Naderi ◽

Safoora Gharibzadeh ◽

Ali Mazaherinezhad

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Exercise Therapy ◽

Muscle Force ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Impingement Syndrome ◽

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome ◽

Subacromial Impingement ◽

Randomized Controlled

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is the most common disorder of the shoulder. The evidence for the effectiveness of treatment options is inconclusive and limited. Therefore, there is a need for more evidence in this regard, particularly for long-term outcomes. Hypothesis: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) would be an effective method in treating subacromial impingement. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: This was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial with 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. Sixty-two patients were randomly placed into 2 groups, receiving either PRP or exercise therapy. The outcome parameters were pain, shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle force, functionality, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Results: Both treatment options significantly reduced pain and increased shoulder ROM compared with baseline measurements. Both treatments also significantly improved functionality. However, the treatment choices were not significantly effective in improving muscle force. Trend analysis revealed that in the first and third months, exercise therapy was superior to PRP in pain, shoulder flexion and abduction, and functionality. However, in the sixth month, only shoulder abduction and total Western Ontario Rotator Cuff score were significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Both PRP injection and exercise therapy were effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with SAIS, with exercise therapy proving more effective.

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