Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Of this study was to examine the effect of shock wave therapy in treatment of myofascial trigger points of rotator cuff muscle dysfunction. Thirty patients diagnosed as shoulder pain (Including cases of rotator cuff tendinitis). Patients were randomly distributed into two equal groups. The first(control) group consisted of 15 patients with a mean age of 34.67(± 5.95) years and body mass index 30.83 (±6.36) received traditional therapy (ultrasound (1 MHZ, Continuous Pulse for 5 minute) and ischaemic pressure) for 12 sessions, 3 session /week. The second (study )group consisted of 15 patients with a mean age of 34.07 (± 4.51) years and body mass index 27.67 (±2.95) received traditional therapy in addition shock wave therapy (6000 shocks, 2000 shock/ session, 3 session one week apart, energy flux density 0.38 mJ / mm2, 1.6 bar and 10 HZ). Subjects were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment for shoulder pain intensity, pressure pain threshold of myofascial trigger points, shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, external and internal rotation motions. Subjects of both groups showed significant improvement in all the measured variables. Between groups difference the shock wave group showed a significant improvement in decreasing pain intensity, increasing pressure pain threshold and improving shoulder range of motion than control group. Both shock wave therapy and the traditional treatment had a significant effect on decreasing shoulder pain intensity, increasing pressure pain threshold and increasing in shoulder flexion, extension ,abduction, external and internal rotation motions. However, the shockwave therapy was more effective than traditional therapy in treatment of myofascial trigger points of rotator cuff muscle dysfunction

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