A Randomized controlled trials on the effects of Acupuncture and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on supraspinatus tendinitis

Objective of the study: This randomized controlled trial was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) as a treatment for supraspinatus tendinitis. Methods: Thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinitis were randomly allocated to either to a PNF group or a PNF plus acupuncture group and treated twice weekly for a period of 6 weeks. Functional mobility, power, and pain were assessed by a blinded assessor using the Constant Shoulder Assessment, at baseline, 6 weeks and 20 weeks. Analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle. Results: Both the PNF exercises only and the PNF with acupuncture groups experienced significant improvement at the end of 6 week treatment. Compared with the PNF group, the PNF plus acupuncture group experienced significantly greater improvement with treatment. Improvements in scores by 39.8% (standard deviation, 27.1) and 76.4% (55.0) were seen for the PNF and the PNF plus acupuncture groups, respectively at 6 weeks (P=0.048), and were sustained at the 20-week re-assessment (40.3% [26.7] and 77.2% [54.0], respectively; P=0.025). Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of acupuncture with PNF shoulder exercise may offer effective treatment for supraspinatus tendinitis.