Gladys L.Y. Cheing, Eric M.L. So, Clare Y.L. Chao
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0142

Objective: To examine whether the addition of either electroacupuncture or interferential electrotherapy to shoulder exercises would be more effective in the management of frozen shoulder.
Design: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
Methods: A total of 70 subjects were randomly allocated to receive either: (i) electroacupuncture plus exercise; (ii) interferential electrotherapy plus exercise; or (iii) no treatment (the control group). Subjects in groups (i) and (ii) received 10 sessions of the respective treatment, while the control group received no treatment for 4 weeks. Each subject’s score on the Constant Murley Assessment and visual analogue scale were recorded at baseline, post-treatment session and subsequent follow-up sessions.
Results: In both the electroacupuncture and interferential electrotherapy groups, the Constant Murley Assessment score increased and the visual analogue scale score decreased significantly (both p < 0. 001). No significant change was found in any outcome of the control group, and no significant difference was found between the 2 intervention groups (all p > 0. 05). The observed improvement was well maintained in both intervention groups at least until the 6-month follow-up session.
Conclusion: Either electroacupuncture or interferential electrotherapy in combination with shoulder exercises is effective in treating frozen shoulder patients. However, no significant difference was found between these types of treatment.