Percutaneous electrolysis versus laser for supraspinatus tendon pain

Efficacy of Therapeutic Percutaneous Electrolysis vs Laser Therapy in Supraspinatus Tendinopathy. Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study will test whether percutaneous electrolysis or laser therapy better reduces pain and improves shoulder function in adults with supraspinatus tendinopathy.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Salamanca)
• Trial ID: NCT07247825 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a single-blind randomized trial enrolling patients from the ValleSur physiotherapy clinic in Ávila with ultrasound-confirmed supraspinatus tendinopathy. Eligible participants will be diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon and undergo ultrasound to identify the treatment target before random assignment to percutaneous electrolysis or laser therapy. Outcomes will include pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, and quality of life measured at baseline and after the treatment course. The protocol focuses on pragmatic, clinic-based delivery of the two interventions and blinded outcome assessment where possible.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) with at least four weeks of shoulder symptoms, a pain score of 3 or higher, limited range of motion, positive supraspinatus palpation, and ultrasound confirmation of rotator cuff tendinopathy are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with other acute or chronic musculoskeletal conditions or neuropathic pain that could confound results, or those who cannot receive invasive physiotherapy techniques, are unlikely to benefit from the interventions tested here.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify a more effective non-surgical treatment to reduce pain and improve function for people with supraspinatus tendinopathy.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller trials and case series have reported benefits for both therapeutic electrolysis and laser in tendinopathies, but high-quality head-to-head randomized evidence is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Signing of informed consent both to participate in the study and to undergo invasive physiotherapy techniques.
* Presence of symptoms (inflammation or pain) ≥ 4 weeks.
* Positive palpation test of the supraspinatus tendon.
* Men and women over 18 years of age.
* Score of 3 or higher on the shoulder pain analogue scale.
* Adequate cognitive ability for understanding.
* Limited range of motion.
* Rotator cuff tendinopathy confirmed by ultrasound at the study centre, either due to tendon inflammation, presence of hypoechoic areas, calcification, fibrillar disorganisation and/or neovascularisation in the supraspinatus muscle.
* Pain in the proximal lateral part of the arm that worsens with abduction.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any related acute or chronic musculoskeletal disease that may affect the results of the study.
* Presence of neuropathic pain such as lumbar radiculopathy, which may affect the results of the study.
* Not receiving the treatment sessions and assessments of the study.
* History of glenohumeral fracture and rheumatoid arthritis.
* Rheumatic, neurological or structural polymyalgia affecting the joint.
* Pregnancy.
* Patients with cardiovascular disease.
* Patients with neurological disease.
* Local infection.
* Tumours.
* Belonephobia.
* Taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.
* Infiltrative and/or rehabilitative treatment in the two months prior to recruitment.
* Treatment with another intervention during the study.

Where this trial is running

Salamanca

• Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca — Salamanca, Spain (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jorge V Velázquez Saornil, PhD.

Conditions Tendinopathy; electrolysis; Quality of life; pain; laser; range of motion