Effect of Electro-Acupuncture in Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (CRCT) is a major cause of shoulder pain, impacting quality of life by causing pain during shoulder movement and reducing range of motion (ROM), particularly in abduction, internal, and external rotation.Purpose: This study purpose to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on pain intensity level, shoulder abduction, internal and external rotation ROM, and functional disabilities level in CRCT patients.Materials and Methods: Sixty-six participants, aged from 18 to 65 with CRCT and BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m², were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control group (n = 33) receiving conventional physical therapy or an experimental group (n = 33) receiving the same conventional physical therapy plus EA. Pain intensity level, ROM for abduction, internal, and external rotation, and shoulder functional disabilities level were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a smartphone clinometer, and the Arabic version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH),respectively.Results: each group showed significant improvements in VAS and DASH scores and shoulder ROM after treatment compared to baseline. The experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in VAS, DASH scores, and ROM for abduction, internal, and external rotation than the control group.Conclusion: EA appears to be an effective adjunctive therapy for CRCT, enhancing pain management, ROM, and functional outcomes. Integrating EA with physical therapy may improve patient outcomes in CRCT management.