Acupuncture vs steroid injections for subacromial impingement

January 01, 0001

Acupuncture vs steroid injections for subacromial impingement

These Swedish researchers examined acupuncture versus steroid injections in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). They performed a randomized trial in primary care patients with SIS. Enrollees were randomized to either subacromial corticosteroid injection (s) or acupuncture treatments combined with home exercises. Patients were assesses initially, at six weeks, and then every three months for a year.

The researchers found: "One hundred and seventeen patients with SIS were included, of which 91 complied with the study protocol. There were no significant differences between treatments with regard to pain, shoulder function and health related quality of life in change over time. However, both treatment groups improved significantly from baseline over time."

The researchers concluded: "Both subacromial corticosteroid injection and a series of acupuncture treatments combined with home exercises significantly decreased pain and improved shoulder function in patients with SIS, but neither treatment was significantly superior to the other."

This randomized trial finds acupuncture with physical therapy is equally efficacious compared with subacromial steroid injection for subacromial impingement

For the full abstract, click here.

Family Practice 28(4):355-365, August 2011 © 2011 Oxford University Press
Subacromial corticosteroid injection or acupuncture with home exercises when treating patients with subacromial impingement in primary care—a randomized clinical trial. Kajsa Johansson, Anna Bergström, Karin Schröder and Mats Foldevi. Correspondence to Kajsa Johansson: [email protected]

Category: M. Musculoskeletal. Keywords: acupuncture, steroid, therapy, subacromial, impingement, randomized trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 23 September 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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