Influence of rigid taping on the acromiohumeral distance in healthy recreational weightlifters

Background Subacromial pain syndrome is one of the most frequent injuries in overhead athletes, and it takes place when the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) is narrowed. Conservative treatment is the first approach to this syndrome, being shoulder taping one of the most used techniques. Although there are quite a few studies that analyse the effect of taping on the AHD, most of them do not include sham tapings. This study aimed to examine if the Relocation of the humeral head (RHH) taping produced an increase in the AHD in healthy recreationally weightlifter males, quantifying the change that may be due to a placebo effect. Methods The design of this study was a two-group pretest-posttest, in which eighteen healthy recreationally weightlifter males were measured. in a laboratory of the University of Valencia. RHH using rigid or sham taping was randomly applied to the participants. The AHD was measured and registered before and after the application of the taping for both groups by a blinded examiner using ultrasound. Results There were no significant differences between pre and post measures in the sham group (p = 0.51). The experimental group showed a significant AHD increase of 9.2% (10.75 ± 1.89 vs 11.74 ± 1.82, respectively, with p < 0.001). Significant differences in the effects of each taping on the AHD were found between groups (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that the RHH rigid taping increases the AHD in the shoulders of recreationally weightlifters, dismissing the possibility of a placebo effect of the taping.

Development of a patient decision aid on subacromial decompression surgery and rotator cuff repair surgery: an international mixed-methods study

ObjectiveTo develop and user test a patient decision aid for people with subacromial pain syndrome that presents evidence-based information on the benefits and harms of subacromial decompression surgery and rotator cuff repair surgery.DesignMixed-methods study outlining the development of a patient decision aid.SettingWe assembled a multidisciplinary steering group, and used existing decision aids and decision science to draft the decision aid. Participants were recruited through social media (not restricted by country nor setting), local hospitals and the authors’ collaboration network.ParticipantsPeople with shoulder pain and health professionals who manage people with shoulder pain.Primary and secondary outcomesWe interviewed participants to gather feedback on the decision aid, assessed useability and acceptability (using qualitative and quantitative methods) and performed iterative cycles of redrafting the decision aid and reinterviewing participants as necessary. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively.ResultsWe interviewed 26 health professionals (11 physiotherapists, 7 orthopaedic surgeons, 4 general practitioners, 3 chiropractors and 1 osteopath) and 14 people with shoulder pain. Most health professionals and people with shoulder pain rated all aspects of decision aid acceptability as adequate-to-excellent (eg, length, presentation, comprehensibility). Interviews highlighted agreement among health professionals and people with shoulder pain on most aspects of the decision aid (eg, treatment options, summary of benefits, harms and practical issues, questions to ask a health professional, graphics, formatting). However, some aspects of the decision aid elicited divergent views among health professionals (eg, causes and symptoms of shoulder pain, evidence on benefits and harms).ConclusionThis decision aid could be an acceptable and valuable tool for helping people with subacromial pain syndrome make informed treatment choices. A randomised controlled trial evaluating whether this decision aid reduces people’s intentions to undergo shoulder surgery and facilitates informed treatment choices is underway.Trial registration number ACTRN12621000992808

Immediate effects of TENS and HVPS on pain and range of motion in subacromial pain syndrome: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the most common methods for managing shoulder pain, and high voltage pulsed currents (HVPS) may be used for reducing pain. However, their immediate effects on resting pain and pain-free active range of shoulder motion (pfROM) in patients with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) have not been studied comparatively, yet. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the immediate effects of TENS, HVPS and placebo stimulation on shoulder resting pain and pfROM in patients with SAPS. METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. One hundred and six patients with SAPS received placebo (predetermined 1st day application), TENS and HVPS with 1-day interval, in a random sequence. Before and after each application, resting pain and pfROM were evaluated by 0–10 cm visual analogue scales and a digital inclinometer, respectively. RESULTS: Intensity of pain decreased significantly after TENS, HVPS and placebo interventions (p< 0.05). While pfROMs increased significantly after TENS and HVPS (p< 0.05), remained unchanged after placebo, except for internal and external rotations (p> 0.05). The most obvious effects on pain and pfROMs occurred after HVPS (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with SAPS, both HVPS and TENS, but preferably HVPS can be used effectively to decrease pain and increase pfROM.