Effectiveness of Routine Physical Therapy with and without Eccentric Loading Training for the Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Abstract

To determine and compare the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without eccentric strength training in patients with rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. This single blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at University Physical therapy and Rehabilitation clinic, Raiwind road, Lahore.
The study included sample size of 50 subjects diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Patients included in study were allocated randomly into; Group-A: This group was treated with routine physiotherapy treatment. Group-B: In this group, subjects were trained with eccentric loading exercises along with routine physiotherapy treatment. The outcome measures were pain intensity measured by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and functional outcome measured by quick Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire. The p-values were found to be significant for VAS (0.001) and for DASH (0.000). The paired sample t-test was applied in two sub groups of group A and similarly in group-B. The values were statistically significant i.e., 0.001 for VAS, 0.000 for DASH. P-values obtained for VAS (0.001) and DASH (0.000) when repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied comparing four sub groups. Eccentric exercises give better results in reducing pain intensity and gaining functional outcome with routine physiotherapy maneuvers in subjects having rotator cuff tendinopathy. Eccentric loading training for the cure of shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendinopathy has confirmed to be more helpful in aiding pain, and fixing functional impairment in patients having rotator cuff tendinopathy than routine physiotherapy treatment methods.