Effects of Steroid Iontophoresis and Electrotherapy on Bicipital Tendonitis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of steroid iontophoresis [SI] and electrotherapy [ET] on bicipital tendonitis.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with bicipital tendonitis, diagnosed by ultrasonography, were all treated with hot packs [15 minutes], ultrasound [1.5 w/cm², five minutes], and a standard exercise program. They were also divided randomly into two experimental groups. One group received SI [0.5 percent hydrocortisone acetate given with the negative electrode, 3–4 mA galvanic current, 15 minutes]. The second group was treated with ET [interferential current, 0–100 Hz, 15 minutes]. All patients were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and one month later with the following assessment tools: pain [pain at rest, with normal activities, and with strenuous activities] with a numeric scale [0 to 10], range of motion [ROM] with goniometry and with the ROM items of Constant's Shoulder Scale, patient satisfaction with a numeric scale [0 to 10], and disability by using the function section of the Pennsylvania Shoulder Scale.

Results: All of the assessment parameters revealed statistically significant improvement at post-treatment and one month later [P < 0.05] in the SI group. The ET group experienced less dramatic improvement in the immediate post-treatment [P < 0.05] assessment and the durability of benefit was less than with SI.

Conclusions: Application of SI to the conventional physical therapy for patients with biceps tendonitis seems to provide a better and more prolonged clinical and functional improvement.

KEYWORDS:

• Bicipital tendonitis
• iontophoresis
• electrotherapy
• shoulder pain
• physical therapy