| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial
Blinding: both patients and outcome assessors were blinded
Loss to follow‐up: 1 patient from each group failed to complete 12 week assessment period
Appropriate statistical analysis: completers analysis only |
| Participants |
57 patients
Inclusion criteria: clinically defined rotator cuff tendonitis (shoulder pain exacerbated by resistance in at least one of abduction, external or internal rotation, and normal passive motion).
Duration of symptoms was less than 12 weeks.
Exclusion criteria: Adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff tears, biceps tendinitis, acromioclavicular arthritis, local infection and previous steroid injections into shoulders |
| Interventions |
Group 1 (28 patients): subacromial injection of 1% lignocaine, 1ml.
Group 2 (29 patients): subacromial injection of 40mg methylprednisolone plus 1ml 1% lignocaine
NSAIDS were discontinued one week prior to study |
| Outcomes |
Outcome was assessed at baseline and every 2 weeks for 12 weeks
1) Pain at rest, night and on movement on a 10 cm visual analogue scale
2) Active and passive range of abduction, flexion, internal and external rotation using spirit level goniometer, recorded to nearest 5 degrees. |
| Notes |
Met inclusion criteria for review but no reported means or standard deviations and no information from which to calculate them. Reported median change. Therefore included in review but not in meta‐analysis Author contacted but data no longer available.
RESULTS:
Median changes in clinical variables between 0 and 2 weeks, 0 and 4 weeks and 0 and 12 weeks were presented with interquartile ranges. Reported no statistically significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
