Subacromial Corticosteroid Injections and tDCS in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Rotator Cuff Tendinosis, Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Impingement
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Rotator Cuff Tendinosis focused on measuring transcranial direct current stimulation, non invasive brain stimulation, tDCS, NIBS, subacromial corticosteroid injection
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Shoulder pain for at least 9 months
- Trial of conservative treatment prior to inclusion
- Positive painful arc sign
- At least one positive impingement test (Neer or Hawkin's impingement sign)
- Written and oral comprehension of French and/or English
Exclusion Criteria specific to rotator cuff tendinopathy and CSI:
- Traumatic origin
- Diagnosis of a systemic inflammatory joint disease
- Complete rotator cuff tear on physical examination or MRI
- Diagnosis of acromio-clavicular syndrome
- Presence of cervical nerve root pain or symptoms
- Other confounding pathologies seen clinically or radiographically
- History of previous fracture or surgery at the shoulder
- Contraindication to CSI
- CSI received in the last three months
- Planned or ongoing pregnancy
- Receiving worker's compensation or being involved in litigation relating to the shoulder pathology.
- Inability to follow protocol instructions
Exclusion Criteria specific to tDCS and transcranial magnetic stimulation:
- History of epilepsy or convulsions
- Brain metallic implants or fragments
- Brain lesions or tumors
- Use of a pacemaker or ICD
- Use of an intravenous medication pump
- Severe cardiac disease, or recent cardiac event
- Consumption of medications known to lower the seizure threshold
- Alcoholism
- Severe sleep deprivation
- Eczema or skin lesions at the area of electrode application
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Sham Comparator
No Intervention
Real tDCS
Sham tDCS
Control
Participants received the full tDCS intervention for a total of 20 minutes, one time, two weeks following the CSI
The patients were set up in an identical way as with the real tDCS group, but only received active stimulation for 30 seconds, after which the current was gradually stopped. The participants continued wearing the electrodes until the end of the 20 minutes treatment.
Participants received no further intervention two weeks following their CSI