Background: Conservative treatment of calcific tendonitis includes rest, medications, and physical therapy. Several physiotherapy interventions such as shockwave therapy are commonly used. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an electrotherapy method called electroacupuncture, in the treatment of calcific tendonitis.
Methods: 40 patients with calcific tendonitis were randomly divided to receive either a combination of medications and electroacupuncture, or just a course of medications. Evaluated outcomes included pain using the visual analog scale, shoulder range of motion with the use of goniometer, and quality of life along with functional status using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IAOLDS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Radiological evaluation for the progression of the calcific deposits was also performed. All these evaluations were performed before and at the end of treatment. A final interview with the patients regarding any recurrent episodes was performed 18-24 months after the end of treatment.
Results: The intervention group showed greater improvement in pain intensity (2.8 points), range of motion (forward flexion, +30; abduction +29) when compared with the control group (for all, P < .05) while there was no statistically significant difference regarding the quality of life (IOLDS +0.2; BDI 0). Radiological evaluation demonstrated total or nearly total absorption of calcific deposits in 15 patients of the intervention group and in 8 patients of the control group.
Conclusion: The successful clinical results of electroacupuncture and the regression of calcific depositions after treatment showed that electroacupuncture may have a role as a treatment modality in calcific tendonitis.
Keywords: Calcific tendonitis; Electroacupuncture; Electrotherapy.