Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with painful shoulder impingement syndrome: a comparative study

Abstract

Objective Capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy (CARE) reduces pain and improves quality of life for many orthopaedic degenerative and inflammatory disorders. The research aim was to determine the effects of CARE on painful shoulder. The outcomes were pain reduction and recovery of shoulder function. Methods A retrospective, observational case-control study was conducted. Participants were 46 patients (22 in the CARE group and 24 in the SHAM group). Clinical data, pain (visual analogic scale, VAS) and functional scale scores (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale, and Constant–Murley Scale) were measured at baseline T0 (before treatment), T1 (after treatment) and follow-up T2 (2 months after the end of the treatment). Results VAS scores in the CARE group improved from 7.23 ± 1.11 at baseline to 2.68 ± 0.99 at follow-up. The SHAM group did not experience any improvement. Similarly, functional scale scores improved in the CARE group compared with the SHAM group. Conclusion Considering the small number of sessions needed, low cost and long-term benefits, CARE could be a useful therapeutic option for the conservative management of shoulder pain to restore pain-free and powerful movement to the shoulder joint.

Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

“…TT produces a thermal effect, assumed to be a biological effect related to hyperthermia. Our results are similar to previous studies regarding the temperature due to its increase after applying the technique [4]. For instance, the study of Benito et al [17] found no significant differences between groups in skin temperature assessed by thermography, as was also the case in our study.…”

“…Current evidence describes an increase in tissue elasticity after TT [4]. Such increased tissue flexibility was not evident in ankle ROM measurements in the current study.…”

“…Tecar therapy (TT) is a form of non-invasive electrothermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy based on the administration of electric currents within the radiofrequency range, constituting a monopolar capacitive resistive radiofrequency of 448 KHz [1,[3][4][5]. This technique is based on the use of high frequency electromagnetism (less than 3 MHz) [6].…”

“…This technique is based on the use of high frequency electromagnetism (less than 3 MHz) [6]. TT is characterized by its speed of action, so it is used in high performance sports [4], as this tool accelerates the recovery process [7]. Thermal changes produced by TT within the neuromuscular structure induce vasodilation, reduce muscle spasms, accelerate cellular metabolism, and increase soft tissue extensibility [8,9].…”

Accelerometric Changes before and after Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Horses with Thoracolumbar Pain Compared to a SHAM Procedure

“…In addition, the horses were subjected to only four sessions and probably a higher number of sessions would have resulted in more evident accelerometric changes. In fact, between 6 and 10 sessions have been reported to result in improved function and disability and reduced pain in human beings with low back pain [21], myofascial chronic pain [22], knee osteoarthritis [23,38] and shoulder impingement syndrome [39].…”