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Observational Study
. 2020 Feb;48(2):300060519883090.
doi: 10.1177/0300060519883090. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

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

T Paolucci  1 , L Pezzi  1 , M A Centra  1 , A Porreca  2 , C Barbato  3 , R G Bellomo  3 , R Saggini  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

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

T Paolucci et al. J Int Med Res. 2020 Feb.

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.

Keywords: Diathermy; capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy; case-control study; rehabilitation; shoulder pain; thermotherapy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CareTherapy® treatment. (a) The patient is seated in a comfortable position during the therapy. (b) Positioning of the neutral rectangular steel electrode (20 × 11 cm). (c) Positioning of the capacitive static electrode (Kapton-coated copper, dimensions 18 × 15 cm) on the shoulder to be treated. (d) Positioning of the static resistive electrode (silver, dimensions 18 × 15 cm) on the shoulder to be treated.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
CMS score change over time for experimental (Ex) and control (CT) groups. CMS: Constant–Murley Scale.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
DASH score change over time for experimental (EX) and control (CT) groups. DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
VAS score change over time for experimental (EX) and control (CT) groups. VAS: visual analogic scale.
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