The Effect of TECAR Therapy on Pain and Shoulder Function in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

ConditionsRotator Cuff Tendinopathy TECAR Therapy Physical Therapy

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18-75

SponsorAyşe Ukbe Baykut

About this trial

Shoulder pain is one of the most common symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries; one-quarter of the general population and two-thirds of adults experience this problem at some point in their lives.Rotator cuff tendinopathy also presents as a significant socio-economic issue, affecting patients' functionality, sleep, quality of life, and work performance.

TECAR therapy (Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy) is a relatively new physical therapy method. This technique aims to induce hyperthermia in deep tissues by transferring high-frequency electromagnetic energy via capacitive-resistive electric transfer (CRET). This study aims to directly compare TECAR-a relatively new treatment modality-with exercise, which is crucial in shoulder rehabilitation, by evaluating the effects of both treatments on pain reduction, shoulder function, and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Individuals experiencing pain in the shoulder and/or lateral deltoid region, with pain exacerbation during overhead activities.

Individuals exhibiting tenderness upon palpation at the rotator cuff tendon insertion site on the proximal humerus and/or restricted range of motion during active shoulder flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation upon physical examination.

Individuals diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinosis or a partial-thickness tendon tear via imaging methods (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging).

Disqualifiers

Full-thickness rotator cuff tear

Previous shoulder surgery

Presence of other conditions capable of causing shoulder pain and loss of function (other joint pathologies, cervical radiculopathy, etc.)

Systemic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, or coagulopathy

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

tecar therapy
Device
A shoulder exercise program-comprising range-of-motion exercises, stretching exercises (including the posterior joint capsule and pectoral muscles), rotator cuff strengthening exercises, and scapular mobilization exercises-will be administered over a total of 10 sessions, at a frequency of 5 sessions per week. In addition to the exercises, TECAR therapy will be administered over a total of 10 sessions (5 sessions per week), consisting of a total duration of 25 minutes (10 minutes in capacitive mode and 15 minutes in resistive mode at a frequency of 448 kHz).
physical therapy
Other intervention
A total of 10 treatment sessions-consisting of 5 sessions per week-will be administered, comprising a shoulder exercise program that includes range-of-motion exercises, stretching exercises (targeting the posterior joint capsule and pectoral muscles), rotator cuff strengthening exercises, and scapular mobilization exercises.

Treatment groups

36 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Physical Therapy GroupActive comparator 2 interventions

Group B: TECAR GroupActive comparator 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Visual Analog Scale (VAS): Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst pain imaginable"). Participants will mark the point on the scale that best represents their perceived pain intensity at the time of assessment. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

Time frame